Slow but sure start for England

England have started their quest to make this West Indian team the first to lose a series in England for 31 years in reasonably assured form.

England have started their quest to make this West Indian team the first to lose a series in England for 31 years in reasonably assured form.

The hosts weathered an early storm from Windies pace duo Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, to go to lunch on 66 for no loss.

The West Indies won the toss and captain Jimmy Adams sent England into bat first in the fifth and final cricket test at The Oval.

England, who lead the series 2-1, named an unchanged side from Headingley while the West Indies capped leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo for his first test in place of the injured Reon King, who has a bruised instep.

Michael Atherton and Marcus Trescothick looked as though they were going to be hard to dispatch and both went to lunch on 30 not out.