Cricket story by Vinnie Mitchell, Thu, 02 Mar 2006 00:24:00 GMT


NAGPUR, India - Andrew Flintoff got his first toss as a captain right this morning at Nagpur as the first test between India and England got underway. However, his batsmen barring the impressive Alastair Cook frittered away this early initiative as England could only put up 246 runs on the board for the loss of 7 wickets.

They began confidently enough with Andrew Strauss and debutant Cook putting on 56 runs for the first wicket before another debutant seamer Shreesanth had Strauss brilliantly caught at second slip for 28. Ian Bell did not last long and fell just before lunch for 9 to another stunning catch by Indian skipper Rahul Dravid.

Paul Collingwood then joined Cook, who reached his maiden half-century. Kevin Pietersen fell to an ambitious pull shot which crashed into his leg stump. Stand-in captain Andrew Flintoff and Collingwood were associated in a stand of 67, before Flintoff fell to a questionable lbw decision to Anil Kumble for 43. Thereafter Geraint Jones fell to Irfan Pathan and Ian Blackwell was bowled by the same bowler. At stumps, Collingwood was on 53 and Hoggard was yet to open his account.

Alastair Cook was delighted with his knock, "It's almost been the best way, straight into playing with not too much time to think about it," he said. Graham Gooch has heaped praise on the 21-year-old and has called him a long-term prospect. "He's got a lot to learn; he's got to enhance his game in terms of options against spinners - but he did a good job for his country," Gooch said.

Summary of First Day's play
England I Innings 246-7 in 90 overs- Cook 60, Collingwood 53*, Pathan 3-52

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