England Cricket / Editor / 04 March 2007 /

Michael Vaughan, Jon Lewis, James Anderson and Kevin Pietersen all came through England's first World Cup practice session unscathed.

Lewis, who has not bowled in anger since suffering an ankle injury during a one-day match against New Zealand in January, looked in good shape while bowling into the nets in St Vincent. Anderson also bowled a number of overs off a shortened run-up, having overcome a back problem.

Pietersen appears to be over the fractured rib he picked up during a one-day clash against Australia, while skipper Vaughan looked comfortable with the bat against some local St Vincent bowlers as he strives towards full fitness from long-term knee and hamstring problems.

Vaughan said: "We just cleared some cobwebs from the flight. It was nice to have a little net.

"You are always quite sceptical about how [Caribbean wickets] will play. The first two weeks are crucial for me, but also the team.

"Kevin will certainly come back in and over the next two warm-up games it is up to the players to hold their hand up and stake a claim."

Coach Duncan Fletcher is busy preparing his squad for their first warm-up game against Bermuda on Monday as he ponders team selection for when the World Cup campaign starts with their opening group match against New Zealand in St Lucia on March 16.

"We are pretty close. It is the bowling area where we have got some decisions to make," he said.

England are the overwhelming favourites at 1.01 on Betfair's Bermuda v England Match Odds market to see off their unfancied opponents (24) in their warm-up match.

Fletcher's men can also be backed at 2.16 to beat Australia (1.26) on March 9 in their second build-up clash, while Anderson and Lewis are available at 42 and 80 respectively to end cricket's showpiece tournament as the top wicket taker.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: