Cricket: Captain's innings holds up England A

England A 453-4 dec and 41-3 The Rest 350-6 dec

Mark Ramprakash chose an ideal stage to re-establish his Test credentials as chairman of selectors David Graveney and coach David Lloyd watched him spearhead The Rest's revival on the third day of their Tetley's Shield showpiece against England A.

The 27-year-old Middlesex batsman made a disastrous start to the annual season's curtain-raiser, electing to field after winning the toss to condemn his young team to a frustrating day and a half on a lacklustre pitch as the A team piled up an impressive 453 for 4 declared.

But his superb 108 against two of England's best emerging fast bowlers, Kent's Dean Headley and Glen Chapple of Lancashire, put The Rest firmly back in the match and after they declared 103 runs adrift at 350 for 6, finished the day with the A team struggling on 41 for 3 when bad light once again ended play prematurely.

More importantly, Ramprakash demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, a criticism which was levelled at him frequently during his fluctuating 19-Test career which ended against South Africa 18 months ago.

"He played very well and he is maturing as a player," Lloyd said. "He has performed under pressure as captain and gone out and got a good hundred."

Ramprakash arrived at the crease with the Rest in trouble at 121 for 3, having resumed on 73 for 2 and quickly lost Darren Maddy, the second of three victims for Headley in a bright early spell.

His winter spent playing for the University of Western Australia has clearly stiffened Ramprakash's resolve since his England career ended with a disappointing average of 16 and he featured in vital partnerships with Russell Warren and Ben Hollioake.

Warren helped him add 101 for the fifth wicket but departed shortly after reaching his half-century, which included a superb six off Mark Ealham and five other boundaries, when Jason Gallian tempted him to edge to the elder of the Hollioake brothers, Adam, at slip.

It brought his younger sibling to the crease and he also provided his captain with valuable support, hitting eight fours to remain unbeaten on 46 when Ramprakash elected to declare having plundered two sixes and 12 other boundaries in his innings.

Simon Brown, Durham's left-arm seamer, dismissed Mark Butcher, Michael Vaughan and Gallian in quick succession when the A team batted again.