Mike Atherton reaches his century

The pair spent most of the day at the crease and helped take England to a commanding 249-1 at the end of the opening day of the First test.

Their stand was the 20th highest England opening partnership in history and the fifth highest against the South Africans.

Alan Donald: not a good day for the tourists' bowlers

It was also England's best start to a home Test since Graeme Fowler and Chris Tavare shared a 223-run partnership against New Zealand at the Oval 15 years ago and the best by any country ever at Edgbaston.

As the day started hopes were not high for England, who were defeated 2-1 by the tourists in the one-day match series.

But after England lost the toss and were put in to bat Atherton and Butcher delighted the crowd by piling on the runs.

Mike Atherton says the day was "a bit of a struggle"

They had scored 67 by lunch and were 151 without loss at tea as South African captain Hansie Cronje, rotated his bowlers in vain looking for a breakthrough.

Cronje would have hoped for at least two or three wickets by lunch rather than none by tea, and his frustration was clear for everyone to see when he bowled four wides through third slip.

After lunch his opening pair Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock both returned to the attack at their "home" county ground, but neither showed their true world class.

Mark Butcher: caught for 77

The batting partnership was finally broken up in the 69th over when Butcher was caught by Jacques Kallis off Donald's delivery for 77.

He walked off the pitch to thunderous applause as Stewart came on.

England's strong form continued as Atherton continued resolutely on to his century reaching it at 246-1, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

At close of play he was 103 not out while Stewart was on 28.

England 1st innings

MA Butcher c Kallis b Adams 77 214 7 0
MA Atherton not out 103 275 12 0
AJ Stewart not out 28 63 3 0

Extras 41

Total 249 (1 wicket, 92 overs) Close - day 1

To Bat: N Hussain, GP Thorpe, MR Ramprakash, MA Ealham, DG Cork, RDB Croft, D Gough, ARC Fraser.

FoW: 1-179 (Butcher, 69.6 ov).

Bowling O M R W
Donald 18 5 43 0 (2w)
Pollock 22 8 37 0 (1w)
Klusener 16 4 45 0
Cronje 11 3 28 0 (1w)
Adams 18 2 47 1
Kallis 7 2 13 0 (1w)