Vaughan returns with a flourish

The England captain, back on his home ground for his first Test in 18 months following his miserable run of injuries, contributed a composed 50 towards a solid position by mid-afternoon on day one.

He shared a morning stand of 53 with Alastair Cook, on his way to a patient half-century from 94 balls in 45 minutes more batting after lunch.

Vaughan's seven fours contained a pleasing collection of well-timed shots to his habitually favoured areas, driven through the off-side and clipped past midwicket. He was indebted for his 50th run to the generosity of Ramnaresh Sarwan, who misfielded at mid-off to give his opposite number the single he still needed.

Vaughan's first achievement this morning had been to win the toss and choose to bat first in this second Test of a four-match series which stands at 0-0 after a draw at Lord's. Victory here would obviously help to re-establish the credentials of England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain as an outstanding leader of his country.

Yet Vaughan knew he could do with early runs too, if only to silence those who have questioned his attempted rehabilitation without the benefit of proving form and fitness in county cricket after breaking his finger three weeks ago. His big moment with the bat came after Andrew Strauss fell to a faulty waft, and edge behind, at Daren Powell from the first ball of the ninth over.

Strauss' latest disappointment completed a sequence of 13 Test innings without a half-century.

Number three Vaughan did not have a long wait for his first run, tucking the fourth ball he faced neatly behind square for a single off Powell.

He had to work hard subsequently, though, for his foothold back in Test cricket - spending 27 balls on three before pulling a resounding four off Powell, who had switched to the Kirkstall Lane End for his second spell.

Cook, meanwhile, continued on his unfussy way - until the opener fell to the last ball of the session, lbw pushing forward to the off-spin of Chris Gayle. Vaughan, joined by Kevin Pietersen after lunch, duly doubled his score as an accurate Windies pace attack failed to find a way past either of England's third-wicket pair.