England look strong before the rains come

The third test at old Trafford looks bound for a draw as England have started strongly before rain stopped play on the final day.

The third test at old Trafford looks bound for a draw as England have started strongly before rain stopped play on the final day.

England's opening partnership of Atherton and Trescothick reached 61 before Atherton was edged and caught by Jacobs after he edged a Walsh delivery.

West Indies had declared their second innings at 438 for seven, a lead of 292, with the rain break England look unlikely to reach this total but the Windies look unlikely to dismiss the hosts.

SCORECARD West Indies first innings 157 (D.Cork 4-23) England first innings 303 (A.Stewart 105, M.Trescothick 66; C.Walsh 4-50, C.Ambrose 4-70)

West Indies second innings (overnight 381-6)

A.Campbell c Cork b White 55 A.Griffiths lbw b Croft 54 W.Hinds c Stewart b Gough 25 B.Lara run out 112 J.Adams lbw b Cork 53 R.Sarwan lbw b Caddick 19 R.Jacobs not out 42 F.Rose lbw b White 10 C.Ambrose not out 36 Extras (b-14 lb-4 w-2 nb-12) 32

Total (for seven wickets, declared) 438

Fall of wickets: 1-96 2-145 3-164 4-302 5-335 6-373 7-384

Bowling: Gough 27-5-96-1, Caddick 23-4-64-1, Cork 28-9-64-1, Croft 47-8-124-1, White 27-5-67-2, Trescothick 1-0-2-0, Vaughan 2-1-3-0