Friday, May 16, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429    

Rain delays start of Lord Test

Monitoring Report

RAIN has delayed the scheduled 1100 BST start of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s.
Overnight showers in London were followed by persistent drizzle on Thursday morning, and further rain is expected during the day.
When play does begin, England will seek to build on their 2-1 Test series win in New Zealand earlier this year.
England have kept faith with the team which fought back to clinch victory, meaning no place for Matthew Hoggard.
James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom will lead the pace attack after Hoggard was left out.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori is fit to play after having two stitches removed from his spinning finger.
The left-arm spinner suffered the injury to the index finger on his left hand in a warm-up match against Essex last week and missed the four-day match against the England Lions.
However, after two days bowling in the nets, the 29-year-old believes he is fit enough to last the five days.
“I have gone through the last two training sessions. It’s not perfect but it should be fine for the game,” he said.
“Batting won’t be an issue at all. It’s just in the worst possible place for a left-arm finger spinner but it’s healed really well.”
His opposite number Michael Vaughan, who struggled as an opener in England’s 2-1 win in New Zealand, confirmed that he would bat at number three, with Andrew Strauss restored to the top of the order alongside Alastair Cook.
“It’s very important that I score runs,” Vaughan said. “I have always preferred batting at number three as a captain. My record at three is quite good.”
All-rounder Paul Collingwood takes his place in the side following a third injection in his troublesome right shoulder, while Stuart Broad and wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose will make their home Test debuts.
Vaughan said his inexperienced seam attack deserved another chance, despite the return to form of Hoggard, who was dropped after a poor performance in the first Test defeat in New Zealand.