England make steady start in final Test

PORT OF SPAIN // England were 74 for one at lunch on the first day of the fifth and final Test against the West Indies today after losing opener Alastair Cook for 12 runs. The hosts, who suffered a major blow before the match when paceman Jerome Taylor pulled out with an ankle injury, used six bowlers but it was the much-criticised Daren Powell who achieved the only breakthrough. Fourth-Test centurion Cook edged Powell, who generated some nice movement, to the wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin with England on 26. Captain Andrew Strauss, who won the toss and chose to bat, looked well set on 42 not out along with Owais Shah who was unbeaten on 19. The West Indies are 1-0 up in the series.

*Reuters