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It was perhaps a fitting end to what has been a low-key beginning to a new era for English cricket. At the start of play it was a matter of 10 wickets to be taken or 394 runs to be scored for the win, by the end of the day everyone’s eyes were fixed firmly on this Friday, when the Second Test will start at Headingley.

Only 20 overs were possible, 10 of them in the morning and the rest after a four-hour rain delay. It was time enough for the West Indies to hit some 89 runs at a rate which, had they continued it through a full day, would have brought them very close to that unlikely victory target. Chris Gayle, who finished on 47 not out, provided a few highlights with his seven fours. His opening partner Daren Ganga had 31 at the close.

England’s failure to take a wicket continued a trend of disappointing seam bowling throughout the Test. Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett had at least improved their lines a little, as neither conceded a wide during the day’s play.

The form of their opening bowlers will definitely be England’s main concern as the series goes on. The West Indies proved themselves to have a long and capable batting line-up with their first-innings score of 437. With Matthew Hoggard suffering from an A Grade strain of his abductor muscle it seems certain that there will be at least one change to the team. One touted replacement is Durham’s Graham Onions – which would give the side an all-Durham pace attack – who took eight wickets for 105 against Warwickshire last week.

In the absence of Hoggard and Flintoff it seems more likely that James Anderson will be picked for his superior experience. Michael Vaughan, if fit, will also return at the expense of Owais Shah.

Given the expectation that the West Indies would be routed on an early season Lord’s pitch, the draw may be considered disappointing for Peter Moores. But then, a quick look backwards through the records would tell him that Duncan Fletcher’s first Test in charge ended in defeat by an innings and 21 runs to South Africa.