KINGSTON, 3 March 2004 — England captain Michael Vaughan used the relaxed atmosphere of his side’s non-first class Caribbean tour opener to send an early warning to West Indies when he hit a century before lunch as England set upon some friendly Jamaica bowling on Monday.
Vaughan hit a stroke-filled 105 before lunch to set the foundation for his side’s first innings total of 320.
Matthew Hoggard then gave the visitors a bright start in the field when he took two late wickets as Jamaica reached 25 for two in reply at the close on the opening day. Vaughan took advantage of a hard, easy-paced Sabina Park pitch, sunny weather and fast outfield to complete an 89-ball innings that featured 19 fours and one six after England chose to bat.
He and former captain Nasser Hussain featured in a 118-run, third-wicket stand before Jermaine Lawson, who is returning to action after remedial work on his bowling action, bowled him just after lunch. After the pyrotechnics from Vaughan, the rest of the England batting settled down to grind away against the steady, but hardly menacing Jamaica bowling.
Hussain showed a welcomed sign of form with 65, wicketkeeper Chris Read scored 61, and left-hander Graham Thorpe managed 34. Off-spin bowler Bevon Brown was the most successful Jamaica bowler with three wickets for 74 runs from 20.1 overs. Philip Keating, Evon McInnis and Dwight Mais each captured two wickets.
Meanwhile, Mark Butcher has been taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays after twisting his left ankle while fielding in a warm-up match against Jamaica yesterday.
The Surrey left-hander was helped off the Sabina Park ground by left arm spinner Ashley Giles and the team’s physiotherapist. A team spokesman said from Kingston that Butcher had been taken to hospital as a precaution but was unsure of his condition.
