Vaughan And England Dominate

He ended the first day of the fourth Test against India unbeaten on 182, as England closed on 336 for two.

Nasser Hussain won a crucial toss at The Oval, with the series level at 1-1.

Marcus Trescothick was the only wicket to fall in the first two sessions as a steepling hook off Zaheer Khan found its way to Sanjay Bangar at fine leg.

Back in the side after a broken thumb sidelined him for six weeks, Trescothick (57) dominated the opening stand of 98.

Mark Butcher weighed in with a more circumspect half-century, finally falling when an attempted sweep off Harbhajan ran off pad and the back of the bat to loop to Rahul Dravid at first slip.

His 54, in over three hours, provided a backbone to the innings and he shared in a second-wicket stand with Vaughan of 174,

Vaughan's only aberration was an error of judgment on 59 when he hit uppishly straight to mid-off and set off for a single. Butcher declined the call and Sourav Ganguly's throw to the batsman's end failed to beat Vaughan's dive by a matter of an inch as third umpire Neil Mallender deliberated over numerous replays.

Although not the most fluent innings initially, Vaughan's trademark cover drives provided the bulk of his runs and he reached a circumspect half-century from 92 deliveries shortly after lunch.

After a quiet period in the 80s, he reached 100 with a drive to mid-off where Ajit Agarkar misfielded to allow a scampered single.

Hussain did not come out in his customary number four position, however, as Crawley was promoted in the order.