England suffer early setback

Left-hander Strauss failed to take advantage of an early life after winning the toss, and perished in just the fifth over.

He was followed by opening partner Alastair Cook, who horribly miscued a pull, and Ian Bell, who succumbed minutes before lunch.

England, buoyed by all-rounder Andrew Flintoff being passed fit following a side strain, were therefore reliant on former leader Kevin Pietersen to dig them out of a hole. He answered in his usual authoritative manner to reach 30 not out by lunch, which was taken on 73 for three.

Strauss nibbled at a delivery from Jerome Taylor, just outside off-stump, and was held low down by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

He had not looked comfortable at the crease, however, and should have been dismissed in Taylor's previous over when an attempted drive offered a comfortable chance which was spurned by Xavier Marshall at third slip.

Number three Bell, who once again was preferred to nearly man Owais Shah, rid himself of any nerves by regularly locating the gaps in the field and raced into the teens.

But Cook's poor shot off Daren Powell - a long hop dragged straight to mid-on - gifted the West Indies a second success.

Pietersen was quickly into his stride, a disdainful flick for four off Powell early in his innings followed by a classical straight drive for four off Fidel Edwards immediately after drinks.

His arrival at the crease triggered a change in Bell's tempo - having made 19 before they came together, the Warwickshire batsman added only nine more runs in over an hour before being dismissed with lunch lingering on the horizon. A misjudgment of Chris Gayle's arm ball resulted in an edge to slip, which was comfortably snaffled low down by Devon Smith.