Vaughan Hits Back For England

Playing his first innings since the Oval Test against India, Vaughan looked in prime form in scoring an unbeaten 49 as England reached 106 for one at the close of the second day in reply to Queensland's imposing 582.

The Yorkshire batsman hit a six and eight other boundaries in his first outing since undergoing a knee operation at the end of last season, while opening partner Marcus Trescothick was run out for an equally aggressive 46.

He enjoyed good fortune during his 84-minute stay at the crease, hooking Michael Kasprowicz just short of two incoming fielders while he could also have been run out pushing for a quick single after he had scored only two.

But just to see him playing shots again will have encouraged the England management as they build up to the start of the five-Test series against Australia, which begins at the Gabba on Thursday.

Queensland were helped towards their imposing total by England missing six chances to allow Martin Love, who resumed overnight on 124, to fall just one run short of equalling a career-best 251.

He hit a six and 27 other boundaries during his innings lasting nine hours and, aided by Nathan Hauritz, added 118 in the afternoon session after left-arm spinner Ashley Giles raised hopes of ending the innings by claiming his third wicket of the day.

England's objectives were not helped by a disappointing display in the field during the opening session of the day when they missed five chances, including Love four times, with a succession of dropped catches.

Love's first escape came in the fifth over of the day before he had added to his overnight total, pushing forward to Andrew Caddick and edging low to Andrew Flintoff at second slip

The Lancashire all-rounder failed to get down in time for the low chance.

Lee Carseldine was also given a reprieve when he cut Matthew Hoggard fiercely but Mark Butcher was unable to take the chance.

Love was given three further let-offs in an 11-over spell, Flintoff again putting him down at slip off Caddick when he had reached 166, wicketkeeper Alec Stewart missed him off Simon Jones four overs later and then Hoggard dropped him on 180 at third man.

While chances were being spilled at the other end, at least Giles had found some semblance of form and removed Carseldine (51) and Wayne Seccombe in successive overs before ending Queensland's productive seventh wicket partnership.

Advancing down the wicket to try and hit Giles over the top, Carseldine was outwitted by the flight and instead clipped straight to Flintoff at short mid-wicket while Seccombe was trapped leg before in his next over playing across the line.

Giles' and England's only success of the afternoon session was the removal of Ashley Noffke, who helped Love add 83 for the seventh wicket before giving Andrew Caddick a catch at mid-on as he attempted to drive down the ground.

Love's innings finally ended shortly after tea when he was trapped leg before to a full-length Hoggard delivery before Nathan Hauritz edged Simon Jones to Marcus Trescothick at first slip and captain Nasser Hussain ran out last man Michael Kasprowicz to end England's long two days in the field - but only after he was dropped again at fine leg.