Gough and Caddick claim early glory

It took Darren Gough 11 balls to secure England's first breakthrough in the crucial third Test at Old Trafford.

It took Darren Gough 11 balls to secure England's first breakthrough in the crucial third Test at Old Trafford.

Andy Caddick duly backed the Yorkshireman's early strike to make West Indies a shaky 12 for two with the match less than six overs old.

Gough had to thank a fine 'assist' from the recalled Graham Thorpe which came in the third over after overnight and morning rain held up the start for an hour.

Gough fired in a quick delivery to Sherwin Campbell, and the resulting edge flew low to Thorpe's left at third slip - and the Surrey man made no mistake.

It was a sharp piece of cricket from Thorpe, who had missed the previous nine Tests and won a place in the middle order at the exclusion of Graeme Hick, who thus had his England career stalled for the ninth time since his debut in 1991.

West Indies captain Jimmy Adams won the toss and could hardly have expected his major player Brian Lara to be walking to the crease so early in the proceedings.

But Lara was quickly into the action after Caddick hit Adrian Griffith on the front pad to win an lbw verdict in his third over.

SCOREBOARD

Lunch - West Indies Won Toss

West Indies First Innings S L Campbell c Thorpe b Gough 2 A F G Griffith lbw b Caddick 2 W W Hinds not out 10 B C Lara not out 4 Extras lb1 nb2 3 Total 2 wkts (13 overs) 21

Fall: 1-3 2-12

To Bat: J C Adams, R R Sarwan, R D Jacobs, F A Rose, C E L Ambrose, R D King, C A Walsh.

Bowling: Gough 7 3 13 1 Caddick 6 2 7 1

Umpires: D B Cowie and P Willey