Andy Flower's magnificent 115 not out from 128 balls was the highlight of Essex's 50-run triumph over Pakistan in their 50-over day-night clash at Chelmsford.
He batted throughout the innings as the county totalled 284-6, to which the tourists responded with 234 all out from 46.1 overs.
Ton-up - Andy Flower raises his bat following his century at Chelmsford yesterday Picture: TERRY WEEDEN
For a split second he must have thought another day to forget was on the cards as he hammered a fierce square drive against Mohammad Sami in an effort to get off the mark.
But a diving Imran Nazir failed to hold on to what would have been a sensational catch at cover point, thus allowing the reprieved Flower to go on and show what a class act he is.
He adopted a more cautious approach in completing his first 50, it containing just three boundaries.
But he caressed the ball confidently enough into the gaps to reach that landmark from the 77th ball he received and then moved up a gear to reach his century 42 deliveries and six fours later.
Flower gave only one more chance after his early let-off, that was in an eventful final over of the innings.
After being struck a painful blow on the shoulder by a delivery from Sami that required the attention of a physio, he put up a simple catch to midwicket which was spilled by Yousuf Youhana.
Flower, who did not take the field during Pakistan's innings, shared in two major partnerships.
The first was with James Foster, who provided further evidence of his growing stature as a batsman with a stylish 56 from 67 balls, a mid-wicket six off Shabbir Ahmed being the pick of his five boundaries.
Those runs came during a second wicket stand of 90 in 17 overs, but the most productive partnership involved 18-year-old Ravinder Bopara.
Last week he scored 40 and 48 not out while batting for more than six hours in the Championship clash against Middlesex at Lord's.
Last night he demonstrated that he can also score freely, his 46 coming from 51 balls while 95 were added in 15 overs.
Pakistan's innings was soon undermined by Graham Napier. He struck twice in only his third over before Nick Denning picked up a wicket with his first delivery at this level by having Younis Khan well caught at short mid-wicket by James Middlebrook.
Denning should also have struck with his second ball, but just failed to cling on to a very difficult low chance offered by Yasir Hameed.
Hameed made good his escape by scoring 82 from 88 balls. But, once he drove Joe Grant into the covers to provide Mark Pettini with a catch, Essex were in no real danger.
Before the start of the match all-rounder Jon Dakin was awarded his county cap. He returned career-best figures of 5-86 against Middlesex last week and is Essex's leading Championship wicket-taker this season with 25 victims. He has also scored 295 first-class runs.
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Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003
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