Date-stamped : 13 Mar94 - 18:26 England vs West Indies Board President's XI (Guyana) Tour Match-Match Report (Played 10-12 Mar, 1994) ====> Day 1 - 10th Mar, 1994 Mark Ramprakash hit a century as England made good progress on the first day of their four day tour match against a President's XI. The Middlesex batsman reached the ton mark soon after tea having built up a healthy partnership of 158 with Graham Thorpe (84). Robin Smith's disnal tour continued as he was caught at second slip for just eight to add to his miserable run of low first class scores. England opted to leave Phil Tufnell out while Alec Stewart was rested. Contributed by Goochie (jdw5@*.ac.uk) ====> Day 2 - 11th Mar, 1994 The second day of England's game with a President's XI has been cancelled after heavy overnight rain in Georgetown. Four years ago the second Test here was abandoned without a ball being bowled and it also stages the second Test of this tour next week. There had been no rain for several weeks this year until England arrived on Wednesday. Mark Ramprakash looks set to have to wait to try to beat his career best score of 233. Contributed by Goochie (jdw5@*.ac.uk) ====> Day 2, MORE Friday's rain left parts of the outfield under two inches of wa- ter and meant there was no chance of a resumption in play after England made 308-2 on the first day. With Guyana at sea-level, the ground reputed to be slow at drain- ing, and no sign in an improvement in the weather, the rest of the match, which lasts until Sunday must be under serious threat. The second Test, scheduled to start here on March 17, could also be in doubt. Last time England toured the Caribbean, the Guyana Test was com- pletely washed-out. The stoppage gave Mark Ramprakash a chance to reflect on his un- beaten 154 on the first day, only the second time an England player has batted through a day's play since Keith Fletcher be- came team manager in Autumn 1992. Ro- bin Smith, against Sri Lanka in Colombo in March 1993, was the other. Ramprakash dedicated his innings to his family, his fa- ther Deona- rine having been born in Guyana, and he added: "My father will be arriving on Saturday, and I'm sure we'll be having a few drinks to celebrate." Ramprakash was a controversial omission from the First Test in Jamaica after making 136 in St Kitts at the start of the tour. "I was naturally disappointed not to be picked for the Test, but I have to accept there were 17 players in the party and only 11 can play," he said. "I just hope this innings will have done the trick this time." (Thanks: AFP) Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu) ====> Day 3, 12 Mar 94 All rounder Chris Lewis has been sent to hospital for x-rays after aggravating a heel injury in the President's XI clash at Bourda. Lewis was seen as the one man capable of filling the hole in the attack left by Devon Malcolm who will rejoin the team in Trinidad. But he broke down after just four overs with the new ball and was forced to leave the field before having precautionary x-rays. England are hoping he will be fit to play in the second Test. Contributed by Goochie (jdw5@*.ac.uk) ====> Day 4, 13 Mar 94 HUSSAIN STAKES HIS TEST CLAIM Nasser Hussain put himself back into the Test frame and ended an eight week nightmare in the space of three hours The Essex batsman with barely a tour run to his name before this rain hit game responded to the challenge of opening by scoring an unbeaten century. But it might have come too late to change England's plans for Thursday's second Test against West Indies on the same ground at Bourda Guyana. ENGLAND'S BOWLING IN DISARRAY Nasser Hussain hit a sparkling unbeaten 103 against a Guyanan President's Board XI but while England's batting gets stronger their bowling attack struggles Chris Lewis who has an injured heel is doubtful for Thursday's second Test after bowling precious few overs in this rain ravaged drawn match. And Steve Watkin and Andy Caddick were given a frightful mauling by two openers who not of the highest calibre. Contributed by Goochie (jdw5@*.ac.uk)