Day 1: England vs Zimbabwe

Veteran keeper Alec Stewart and rookie of just 2 Tests Anthony McGrath have batted England into a stable position, however the star of the day was Durham's Chester-le-Street Riverside Ground following Day 1 of the Second Test.

England fittingly won the toss at crickets newest Test venue and elected to bat, with Richard Johnson finally making his Test debut for the injured Matthew Hoggard.

The groundsman had served up a treat at Chester-le-Street, with a beautifully manicured outfield, lush square and even pitch awaiting its first day of Test cricket.

England added 49 for the first wicket against the unchanged Zimbabwean side, with Michael Vaughan being the first to go when he edged Heath Streak to first slip Sean Ervine after making a promising 20.

Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick then forged a partnership of 60 before Trescothick was cleverly caught by Tatenda Taibu off a sweep shot from Raymond Price after completing 43.

Douglas Hondo grabbed the nest 3 wickets, with his triple breakthrough putting the visitors bowling attack in a surprisingly strong position during the second session.

He first had Butcher playing on to his stumps for 47, then Key caught playing a needless pull shot after making just 4. His most important wicket was that of captain Nasser Hussain caught behind after he made a threatening 18.

Alec Stewart and Anthony McGrath then set about a strong rescue mission for the home side, adding an unbeaten 142 to see the home side to just 5 wickets down at stumps.

McGrath, however, rode his luck, being dropped on 2 occasions, with Raymond Price dropping a sitter at fine leg the stand-out.

Stewart, meanwhile, continued on his merry way, rarely looking threatened and justifying his selection at the age of 40.

For the Zimbabweans, Douglas Hondo took 3/66 in an impressive display. Heath Streak bowled better than his figures of 1/50 suggest and Raymond Price finished with 1/62.

Scores:

England 298/5 (A McGrath 68*, A Stewart 67*, M Butcher 47, M Trescothick 43, D Hondo 3/66)

Stumps Day 1.

Posted by Andre