MANCHESTER, Aug 12: Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo hit half centuries before falling just before the close as West Indies reached 275 for six on day one of the third Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The pair came together with the touring side in trouble on 108 for four, adding 157 for the fifth wicket to frustrate England, who are 2-0 up in the four-match series and seeking their ninth win in 10 Tests.

Chanderpaul continued his good form with 76 and Bravo made his maiden Test fifty in his third match on the way to 77 before Matthew Hoggard returned to the attack to have both batsmen caught by wicket-keeper Geraint Jones.

The two had brought up their half centuries in quick succession, Bravo punching Andrew Flintoff through gully for three and Chanderpaul top-edging a hook for six over Jones.

When bad light stopped play with 19.1 overs remaining, wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh, replacing Ridley Jacobs, was nine not out and Dave Mohammed yet to score in his second Test.

Flintoff earlier took two quick wickets in the afternoon session including Brian Lara for a duck. Ramnaresh Sarwan played on to his stumps for 40 and Lara, still seven short of 10,000 Test runs, was yorked leg stump.

Debutant opener Sylvester Joseph, replacing Devon Smith, played steadily for his 45 before edging Steve Harmison to Graham Thorpe at third slip. Harmison appeared rejuvenated after looking tired in the back-to-back first two Tests in which he took only three wickets.

Seamer James Anderson, again preferred to Simon Jones, was less convincing and spinner Ashley Giles failed to produce the penetration that brought him 18 wickets in the series.

Hoggard, who finished with figures of three for 61, dismissed Chris Gayle for five in the day's fifth over, finding the opener's leading edge to give Andrew Strauss a catch at point.

Play began an hour late because of overnight rain after Lara won the toss. Meanwile, the West Indies Cricket Board has retained Brian Lara as captain on Wednesday for the ICC Champions Trophy, starting in England on Sept 10. In a statement from in St John's, Antigua the board said Ramnaresh Sarwan would be vice-captain for the limited overs competition.

SCOREBOARD