Date-stamped : 27 Jan94 - 18:32 England v Antigua XI, Antigua, 23-26 Jan 94, Report ====> Day 1, 23 Jan 94 Chris Lewis paid the penalty for refusing to protect himself against the Caribbean sun when he had to miss England's tour opener. The Nottinghamshire all rounder dropped out suffering from sunstroke after having all his hair shaved off last week. "I've been telling him since we got here to wear a hat," said team physio Dave Roberts. His self inflicted illness meant Kent's Alan Igglesden was drafted into the team. Alec Stewart hit the first century of England's Caribbean tour after shrugging off a hamstring injury. Stewart felt a slight twinge after hitting a boundary as he moved onto 89 and retired hurt after reaching his ton. It ended an opening partnership of 181 with Mike Atherton against an enthusiastic but distinctly second class Antigua attack. Graeme Thorpe hoping for the number role made only a single before being trapped leg before. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ===> Day 1, MORE England captain Mike Atherton and number two Alec Stewart led by example with a century apiece as the West Indies tour got under- way. Stewart's ton came off just 124 balls before he was forced to retire hurt while Atheron fell to Anthony after a fine 108. His dismissal sparked a dramatic collapse with Robin Smith Nasser Hussain and Jack Russell all falling without a run being added. Andrew Caddick (40) led a revival against the Antiguan XI steering England to 340-7 at the close. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 1, MORE Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart each scored centuries, but England failed to capitalise against an Antiguan XI on the first day of their opening tour match on Sunday, slumping from 275-2 to close on 340-7. Stewart, who retired after making 100, was more dominant in pun- ishing the modest Antiguan bowlers. He drove, cut and pulled with ease as he raced to 50 in 42 balls with 10 fours. His hundred came off 124 balls and he batted for 178 minutes overall before retiring with a slight hamstring injury. Captain Atherton was more watchful but played some good shots. England suffered their first blow with the score on 184 when Gra- ham Thorpe, who replaced Stewart, was trapped leg before by fast bowler Whitmore Quinn for one. Robin Smith joined Atherton and they took England to tea with the score at 220 but not before both batsmen enjoyed some good luck. Atherton, when on 87, was dropped off a no-ball at second slip and Smith was put down at first slip, both off Quinn's bowling. After tea Atherton reached his century, which came up in 261 minutes off 190 balls and included 13 fours. But soon afterwards, the England innings went into sharp decline. A three-wicket burst in one over by West Indies medium-pacer Hamesh Anthony saw England slump from 275 for two to 275 for five. Part-time off-spinner and Antigua captain McChesney Simon made the initial breakthrough when he bowled Smith for 29. Then, with the first ball of his 11th over, Anthony had Atherton caught and bowled for 108. Two balls Later Nasser Hussain was caught behind for nought and then Anthony uprooted Jack Russell's off- stump. Graeme Hick and Ian Salisbury pushed the score to 290 before Hick when on 10 attempted to pull Simon over midwicket and skied an easy catch to Anthony. Debutant fast bowler Randy Challenger bowled Salisbury to add to the English post-tea embarrassment. Contributed by chico (ckhan@bbn.com) ====> Day 2, 24 Jan 94 Andrew Caddick starred with both bat and ball to give England a double boost in their opening tour match at St John's. Somerset paceman Caddick struck a confident 77 and shared a century stand with fellow tail ender Steve Watkin as England scored 419. He then produced a hostile late afternoon spell to claim a couple of wickets though Antigua looked strong on 226-4 at close of play. A back injury to Watkin put him out of the attack though he may return when the match resumes. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 3, 25 Jan 94, Tea Steve Watkin is likely to miss the rest of England's tour opener against Antigua after suffering a back spasm on the second day. We're not quite sure how long he'll be out of action said manager Keith Fletcher. He has a good fitness record and was anxious to make an early impression. Andy Caddick snapped up two more wickets on Tuesday morning for figures of 4-75 at lunch. Antiguan captain McChesney Simon progressed to 96 not out as An- tigua reached 313-7, still 106 behind. ====> Day 3, MORE Graeme Hick smashed a quick half century to give England a lead of 184 in their second innings at close of play on the second day. Antiguan skipper McChesney Simon earlier battled for four hours to make 129 before being caught by Robin Smith off Ian Salisbury. The home side were eventually all out for 360 Andrew Caddick taking 5-106 from his 27 overs. Mike Atherton went chea- ply at the start of England's second innings but Hick and Graham Thorpe (50) put on an unbeaten stand of 112. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 4, 26 Jan 94 Steve Watkin made an incredible recovery from his back injury to spearhead England's victory. Watkin was not expected to take any further part in the game but he emerged with a new ball spell of 3-21 to prove his fitness. Ian Salisbury produced some fine spin bowling to take 4-10 as Antigua crumbled to 121 giving England a 203 run win. Mike Atherton made a positive declaration at lunch after Graeme Hick had hammered an impressive 111 and Graham Thorpe a solid 80. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk)