England bowlers blast Zimbabwe

Grant Flower: Beaten by Andy Caddick's late swing

Mark Ramprakash's debut as a Test match opener was cut short by Heath Streak as England began their attempt to build a big first innings lead after dismissing Zimbabwe for just 83 at Lord's.

The Middlesex batsman was trapped lbw for 15 with the final ball before tea - and ultimately of the day - to leave England on 29 for one at the end of the first day's play.

As the players trooped in, the heavens opened once again, and shortly after, play was abandoned for the day due to rain.

Swing bowler Ed Giddins had earlier justified his recall with the first five-wicket haul of his Test career as Zimbabwe were all out for just 83 on the opening day at Lord's.

He lived up to his third Christian name, 'Hunter', to finish with figures of five for 15 from seven overs after being preferred to Durham's Steve Harmison.

Magnificent

Zimbabwe had struggled to 67 for six at lunch after Andy Caddick produced a magnificent spell of 8-3-28-3 with the new ball.

The weather had caused a brief delay at the start of play, but Grant Flower and Trevor Gripper negotiated the first three overs safely before Caddick produced a beautiful inswinging yorker to shatter Flower's stumps

Gripper and former skipper Alistair Campbell fell in quick succession, both caught by Alec Stewart, who had another confident appeal against Andy Flower turned down by the umpire.

Alec Stewart catches Alistair Campbell

Giddins had to wait until the 17th over for his chance, with Andy Flintoff preferred as first change, but made an immediate impact after replacing Caddick.

Flower punched Giddins' second ball through mid-off for a couple but the next delivery found the outside edge and Mike Atherton pouched the catch at slip.

Gough was restored to the attack after Flintoff's brief appearance and he picked up the fifth wicket with a short of the length ball which Goodwin (18) sparred at and Nick Knight picked up a fine low catch.

Guy Whittall and Neil Johnson looked secure until the former (15) paid the penalty for attempting to an unnecessary pull shot when Giddins dropped short and dragged the ball down onto his off stump.

Interruption

A one-hour interruption after lunch for bad light and rain failed to halt the home side's momentum as Giddins had Heath Streak caught at slip by Mike Atherton with the second ball after the resumption.

Giddins struck again in his next over as Bryan Strang fended the ball off his hip and short leg Mark Ramprakash snapped up the chance.

Giddins receives a pat on the back

Neil Johnson was left with the responsibility of trying to save face for the tourists but a wild swing at Giddins proved his downfall with Darren Gough clinging onto a skier at the second attempt.

Gough rounded things off by having Bryan Murphy caught behind as Zimbabwe made a sorry start to their first-ever Test appearance at the home of cricket.

Ramprakash had a lucky break at the start of England's innings when he tried to force a ball from Streak and picked up a boundary for an inside edge just missed the stumps.

He also survived a straightforward chance to wicket-keeper Andy Flower off the same bowler and Mike Atherton was almost run out with the score on 28 when Brian Murphy made a brilliant diving stop and throw at point.

But Zimbabwe finally made the breakthrough when Ramprakash fell one run later with umpire Peter Willey upholding Streak's appeal.

Zimbabwe 1st innings:

G Flower b Caddick 4
T Gripper c Stewart b Caddick 1
M Goodwin c Knight b Gough 18
A Campbell c Stewart b Caddick 0
A Flower c Atherton b Giddins 24
N Johnson c Gough b Giddins 14
G Whittall b Giddins 15
H Streak c Atherton b Giddins 4
B Strang c Ramprakash b Giddins 0
B Murphy c Stewart b Gough 0
M Mbangwa not out 1

Extras: 2
Total (all out, 30.3 overs) 83

Bowling: Gough 12.3-1-36-2, Caddick 8-3-28-3, Flintoff 3-2-2-0, Giddins 7-2-15-5.

England 1st innings:

M Atherton not out 13
M Ramprakash lbw Streak 15

Extras: 1
Total (for 1 wicket, 11.2 overs) 29