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Thorpe and White guides England to safety

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November 17, 2000 

LAHORE--(UNB/AP) - Graham Thorpe set a new record with a single boundary in a century and steered England to a strong position on the second day of the first cricket test against Pakistan on Thursday.

England lost just two wickets in the day. Bad light brought an early end six overs before schedule when England was 393 for the loss of six wickets.

England's Paul Gibb held the previous record of scoring two boundaries in a test century against South Africa in the 1938-39 test at Durban. That "timeless test" lasted 10 days.

Pakistan's hopes of exposing England's batsmen on a turning track sour with Thorpe's resolute 118. He was involved in a record breaking partnership with number seven batsman Craig White, who was unbeaten on a career-best 89 including two big sixes and eight fours.

A 161-run stand between Thorpe and White bettered England's previous best unfinished partnership of 153 against Pakistan, which was set by Peter Parfitt and David Allen at Edgbaston in 1962.

Thorpe became off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq's sixth victim of the innings late in the day. He mistimed a sweep and gave a simple catch back to the bowler 10 minutes before umpires called off the day's play.

During the marathon innings of seven hours and 13 minutes Thorpe faced 301 balls, which included only two boundaries. One was off Mushtaq on the first evening and the second came off medium fast Abdur Razzaq, which took him from 108 to 112.

White and Thorpe came together in the first hour of play after Mushtaq removed overnight batsman Graeme Hick in his eighth over of the day.

Hick was trapped plumb leg before off a sharp off spinner after scoring 16 and England went from overnight 195 for four to 225 for five.

White was aggressive from the start hitting two fours off one over from leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and lofting Shahid Afridi for six. England added 82 runs in the first session and went to lunch at 277 without further damage.

Thorpe, who resumed at 22, completed his half century before lunch off 149 balls in 206 minutes.

Pakistan took the second new ball soon after lunch but there wasn't much help from the dry wicket with paceman Wasim Akram bowling just four overs before making way for the spin trio.

Pakistan's slow bowlers toiled hard to get the breakthrough as White and Thorpe accumulated another 64 runs and strengthened England's position to 341 for five.

Thorpe's seventh career test hundred came off 255 balls in just over six hours of superb concentration and determination at the wicket.

For Pakistan only off-spinner Mushtaq has been impressive so far. He has taken all six English wickets, bowling 57 overs and conceding 131 runs. Ahmed was unimpressive, conceding 116 runs off his 39 overs.