Butcher's craft puts England on solid footing

England 184-3 v Zimbabwe

An air of distraction prevailed here yesterday for the opening day of England's two-Test series against Zimbabwe.

Whether it was the delayed start, the constant possibility of rain or the threat of protesters disrupting play that added to the subdued atmosphere it is difficult to say. Indeed, it was only the high-pitched voices of 6,000 schoolchildren, invited as guests of the England and Wales Cricket Board, that made the occasion memorable at all, and that was before the bell went for home-time at approximately 3.0pm

In the 59 overs of play that were possible England, on 184 for 3, would have been the more content of the two sides when bad light eventually brought an end to proceedings at 6pm with 26 overs still to be bowled. Having been invited to bat, in conditions which were perfect for seam bowling, two fighting half-centuries, from Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick, moved England to an early position of strength.

Of the pair it was the innings of Trescothick that brought the most pleasure even if it was the less convincing of the two. Without a Test fifty since November's match against Australia in Brisbane, the Somerset opener was still not at his his best but at last appeared to be moving back to the sort of form we had become accustomed to.

The rehabilitation was helped by a bowling attack that failed to create the sort of pressure it should have. Douglas Hondo and Sean Ervine will never offer the same interrogation as Glenn McGrath or Brett Lee. By the end of his miserable Ashes winter, in which Trescothick had constantly been meddling with his technique, the 27-year-old looked a tortured soul. With every edge that flew to the slip cordon confidence could be seen to drain from his body.

Trescothick admitted as much: "I got pretty low in the winter," he said. "It was probably the hardest winter I have ever experienced. I hope I have learned from an extended period of not doing well. I have struck the ball well this summer but was disappointed to get out when I was pretty well set."

Time off and a return to the style which made him an international player seems to have done the trick. No longer does Trescothick crouch over his bat tapping at the crease like a pigeon looking for food. Here he was upright and relaxed.

The stance seems to have been sorted but the confidence has still not returned. For every thumping drive through the covers there was an airy-fairy waft at one outside off and the left-hander looked disappointed when he eventually edged one to Ervine at second slip.

It is to be hoped that Trescothick's problems have not transmitted their way to the other end because Michael Vaughan did not look like the player who has smashed everything before him during the last year. Although unfortunate to be dismissed, when a delivery from the Zimbabwe captain, Heath Streak, became tangled in his thigh pad before deflecting onto his stumps, Vaughan looked edgy and unconvincing during his 42-ball stay.

Admittedly, the ball was seaming about but Vaughan's movements lacked conviction. Such a charge could not be levelled at Butcher who moved around the crease beautifully from the moment he stepped onto the new Lord's outfield. He was fortunate to survive a very close lbw shout from Hondo on 10, and then when an edged chance to Ervine was grassed at second slip, but other than that he looked in total control.

This, however, could not be said about the shot that cost the England captain his wicket. Nasser Hussain was patient before hooking a Travis Friend loosener. The top-edge flew to Hondo at fine-leg where a good tumbling catch in front of the Warner Stand was taken. It was a good job that either of the two protesters, who made their way peacefully onto the pitch to show their opposition to Robert Mugabe's regime, did not choose this moment to make their feelings known because their entrance may not have been greeted as sympathetically by Hussain as by the MCC stewards who gently escorted them off the field.

Friend was the fifth seamer used by Zimbabwe and the decision of England to select just three has to be questioned. It is difficult to see how Ashley Giles will play a significant role in this match. Ray Price, Zimbabwe's left-arm spinner, never looked like taking his second sweater off all day.

LORD'S SCOREBOARD

First day of five; Zimbabwe won toss

ENGLAND - First innings

M E Trescothick c Ervine b Blignaut 59

152min, 115 balls, 9 fours

M P Vaughan b Streak 8

73min, 42 balls, 1 four

M A Butcher not out 52

201min, 129 balls, 7 fours

*N Hussain c Hondo b Friend 19

81min, 56 balls, 4 fours

R W T Key not out 11

39min, 27 balls, 1 fours, 1 five

Extras (b8, lb11, w1, nb15) 35

Total (for 3, 274min, 59 overs) 184

Fall: 1-45 (Vaughan), 2-121 (Trescothick), 3-165 (Hussain).

To bat: ÝA J Stewart, A McGrath, A F Giles, M J Hoggard, S J Harmison, J M Anderson.

Bowling: Streak 20-5-55-1 (nb3) (12-3-38-1, 8-2-17-0); Blignaut 17-4-37-1 (nb1) (9-3-21-0, 5-1-11-1, 3-0-5-0); Hondo 11-3-36-0 (nb6, w1) (4-0-23-0, 7-3-13-0); Ervine 7-1-25-0 (nb4) (6-0-25-0, 1-1-0-0); Friend 4-1-12-1 (nb1) (one spell).

Progress: First day: Rain delayed start until 12.05pm. Lunch: 28-0 (Trescothick 22, Vaughan 4) 9 overs. 50: 80min, 17.4 overs. 100: 132min, 27.4 overs. Tea: 138-2 (Butcher 37, Hussain 8) 41 overs. Bad light stopped play: 4.45-5.06pm, 149-2 (Butcher 38, Hussain 16) 47.2 overs. 150: 221min, 47.4 overs. Bad light stopped play: 6.00pm.

Trescothick 50: 125min, 93 balls, 7 fours. Butcher 50: 190min, 123 balls, 7 fours.

Zimbabwe: D D Ebrahim, M A Vermeulen, S V Carlisle, G W Flower, ÝT Taibu, S M Ervine, *H H Streak, A M Blignaut, T J Friend, R W Price, D T Hondo.

Umpires: S A Bucknor (West Indies) and D L Orchard (SA).

TV Replay Umpire: M A Mallender.

Match Referee: C H Lloyd (West Indies).