OWN CORRESPONDENT, London | Saturday 2.35pm.
GRAEME Hick hammered his first test century at Lord’s as England continued their quest for a match-winning lead over Zimbabwe on the third day of the first test on Saturday.
Hick, playing his first test innings against the country of his birth, first overtook his previous best in a test at the game’s traditional headquarters of 67 against the West Indies in 1995.
The Zimbabwe-born batsman was stuck on 99 for 23 minutes before he reached three figures from 196 balls, an innings that contained 13 fours. It was his sixth test hundred in his 55th test.
However, Hick was out to the next delivery he received after completing his century, lbw to Heath Streak for 101.
Hick is making his ninth England comeback during a test career that started in 1991 and in which he has yet to cement his place in the side, all too often failing to make runs when they are most wanted against the best opposition.
England, 175 for three overnight, were 262 for four after Hick’s dismissal, with his overnight partner Alec Stewart unbeaten on 54.
Zimbabwe were dismissed for 83 in their first innings on the opening day. — Reuters