Cricket: England close on 229-4 against woeful Aussies

Michael Vaughan's England ended a rain-affected first day of the fourth Ashes test on 229 for four following another flawed display by Australia on Thursday.

Marcus Trescothick led the line at Trent Bridge, scoring 65 and putting on a century stand for the first wicket with Andrew Strauss, before Vaughan added 58 during the afternoon.

Kevin Pietersen was 33 not out at the close, brought forward by bad light, with Andrew Flintoff on eight.

The five-match series stands at 1-1.

The world champions began the day ruing their ill fortune -- fast bowler Glenn McGrath failed a last-minute fitness test and England then won the toss -- but were so ragged in the field that they perhaps did not deserve much luck.

Their blundering included two dropped catches and a wicket off one of a string of no-balls.

- REUTERS