Big day for inconsistent England

England's three-Test series against India gets under way today, with the start of the first Test at Lord's. Michael Vaughan will captain the England side for the first time since he stepped down from the one-day team. England will be hoping for a good display following the disappoint-

ments and mixed one-day results under Paul Colling-wood against the Windies.

Despite being named in the 13-man squad for the game, paceman Steve Harmison looks set to miss out, having aggravated a hernia problem earlier in the season. Harmy's misfortune is a big opportunity for Stuart Broad who looks set to make his Test debut. The 21-year-old's call-up is just reward for his good work in recent one-day games. He took a career best 5-76 in England Lions' drawn game against the Indians. His height and pace will also expand England's bowling options, with James Anderson likely to miss out, largely for being too similar in action to fellow swing bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom.

Opener Matthew Strauss had a timely return to form in the Lions' match, making 80 off 103 balls. His way of repaying the faith shown by the England selectors. A batting order of Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen, Collingwood, Matt Prior, Hoggard, Sidebottom, Broad and Monty Panesar has a potent look to it, blending ability, experience and youthful vigour in good propor-

tions (SS1 from 10.00am).

Also starting today is golf's British Open at Carnoustie. Tiger Woods is widely tipped to make it a hat-trick of wins this year. He's won back-to-back Opens in the last two years, and his position as world number one makes him heavy favourite.

The only fly in the ointment is his record at Carnoustie, one of the world's toughest courses. He finished 10 over par, four shots off the pace, last time the Open was held at the club, back in 1999 (BBC2 from 9am).