The showers of rain that swept with infuriating frequency across Headingley during much of yesterday did its best to prolong the speculation regarding the state of the pitch. Less than five uneventful overs were possible before 4.55

p.m., and at one stage, following a particularly heavy outburst, the outfield resembled a map of the Great Lakes.

But the weather relented, and in two hours of evening sunshine, the vital fourth Test, anticipated with increasing relish over the past fortnight, became a full-blooded reality.

By stumps, honours were just about even. Asked to bat by Mark Taylor (who has won every toss this series) England presented a first cap to Mike Smith, the

Gloucestershire left arm swing bowler. By batting with the sort of vigour that had been lacking at Old Trafford, they negotiated some hostile, if not altogether accurate pace bowling, and rode their luck, to reach 103 for the loss of Mark Butcher - unluckily - and Alec Stewart - less so - with three overs of the day remaining.

With the pitch seaming erratically at times, it seemed like the foundation of a position of strength. However, the late wicket of Nasser Hussain for 26, sharply caught by Taylor to his right at first slip as he edged Glenn McGrath, redressed the balance.

The battle will be rejoined this morning at 106 for three, with Mike Atherton on 34, and the night watchman Dean Headley yet to score.

It was a typical effort from the England captain, who thrives on the pressure of such situations. He took the best part of 10 overs before clipping Paul

Reiffel off his legs for his first runs, and by the close had batted for 156

minutes, hitting five boundaries.

While Mark Butcher was adopting a positive approach at the start, Atherton was content to get off the strike and play himself in, making just 10 of an opening stand of 43, including successive clips off McGrath to the boundary by the old pavilion at square leg.

The stand was ended by Reiffel, who, switching to the Football Stand End, saw

Butcher clip his first delivery firmly off his legs, only to see Greg Blewett at short leg cling on to an involuntary and unlikely catch.

Five overs and 15 runs later, Stewart had followed Butcher, also caught by

Blewett at short leg. Before play, the Australians had done little to dispel the notion that they have become increasingly paranoid about the circumstances surrounding the decision to use a different pitch to that originally intended.

Alan Crompton, the Australian tour manager, has writen an official letter to

Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, expressing dismay not at the pitch being moved, but at the apparent involvement of David

Graveney, the chairman of the England selectors.

"I can assure you that David Graveney did not take that decision," Lamb insisted, as he tried to defuse the situation.