/ 11 May 1999

ENGLAND GET A BOOST

INJURY-plagued Graham Thorpe and Neil Fairbrother gave World Cup hosts a boost here on Friday as both came through unscathed in a tournament warm-up game against county side Kent. Thorpe, who missed the end of the recent Ashes series with back trouble, scored 55 before chipping out to short mid-wicket. Fairbrother – whose career has been blighted by hamstring trouble – ended on 54 not out as England made 197 for seven after the game was reduced to 38 overs. Fairbrother, batting at five, brought up his half-century with a six over long on. England, however, struggled to dominate in the difficult conditions, with the major concern being Alec Stewart’s form. The captain, struggling in recent weeks, scratched around for over half an hour for four runs.