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England reminded of Lewis claims

Kent (243-7) bt Leicestershire (239-4) by 3 wkts

On the ground where England make their World Cup bow, Chris Lewis further fuelled the debate about his exclusion from the 15-man party with his third hundred of the season.

The other two came in the championship but this, incredibly, was the first he had scored in any form of one-day cricket in 13 seasons.

It was a very special century, too, since Leicestershire collapsed to 19 for four after choosing to bat first. Lewis, captain for the day, then shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 220 in 32 overs with wicketkeeper Paul Nixon.

Lewis opened the bowling and took a wicket with his eighth ball but he was almost upstaged by a powerful innings from Andrew Symonds who once, too, dreamed of England recognition. His half-century came in 36 balls and when he was caught after hitting 95 from 63 deliveries, just nine runs were needed for victory. Kent went on to win with 7.4 overs to spare.

Symonds might yet figure in the World Cup if an Australian player goes down at the 11th hour. He would strike fear into fielders as much as bowlers, judging from the numerous Leicestershire players left wringing their hands trying to intercept his ferocious drives.

England practised at the ground in the morning but left on a flag-waving exercise around local schools and so missed the sight of Lewis in full flow.

His second fifty came off 44 balls and Lewis remained unbeaten at the close with 116 off 111 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and a six.

Nixon was just as aggressive. He too registered his highest score in any one-day match, his 96 coming off 93 balls with nine fours.

In this kind of form both could argue that they should have been contenders for a World Cup place. Lewis's qualities are universally known: his lows probably outweigh his highs but at this time of year he always seems to be motoring in top gear. There is no more combative keeper/batsman in the game than Nixon.

Lewis has been little in the selectors thoughts and was not even included in the original 35 players from whom the World Cup party was chosen. But he still admits that he has the appetite for the international game.