Ramprakash and Thorpe deliver

Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe grew up together as youth players, England A team tourists and Test match batsmen, part of a group of young players known as the Brat Pack. Both promised much yet in their early years neither was allowed to deliver.

In the heat and noise of Kensington Oval that all changed. Early in the afternoon session yesterday Thorpe meticulously flicked the legside single that took him to his century, raised his arms aloft and then walked down the pitch to Ramprakash. And in that moment, when the pair flung their arms around one another, they were united, brothers in arms.

Earlier, before the lunch interval, Ramprakash had rocked onto his back foot and forced Nixon McLean through extra cover for his 13th boundary and the one that took him to his first Test century. It was a sweet moment.

Resuming on 229 for five the pair took the score to 336 before Thorpe, after more than 6 1/2 hours at the crease, much of it with the discomfort of a back in spasm, pushed forward to Carl Hooper's off-spin and edged to slip, where Brian Lara held a low catch.

Thorpe, who had reached his half-century from the last ball of the first day, had made 103, the sixth century of his 48-match career - but his first against West Indies - and the pair had added 205 for the sixth wicket. It was an England record against West Indies, eclipsing the 163 added by Tony Greig and Alan Knott on this same Bridgetown turf 24 years ago.

By the time Ramprakash lost Thorpe he was on 129, and 2 1/2 hours after reaching his century he leaned back and pummelled Courtney Walsh square to pass 150.

Only after tea did he waver as the effort of concentration in searing heat over a period of almost nine hours caught up with him. By then he had reached 154 and a tired drive saw McLean accept a return catch.

Ramprakash walked off to a standing ovation from English and West Indian supporters alike in the packed ground. He and Thorpe had resurrected the England innings which finished at 403 - light years away from the potential for disaster before lunch on the first day when the scoreboard read 55 for four, Thorpe had retired hurt and with Ramprakash on two the ball was heading for Ambrose's giant hand only for it to be dropped.

Ramprakash is coming up very strongly on the rails as a future candidate for the England captaincy. Ambrose's dropped catch may have made a career.

West Indies made Ramprakash work hard for his runs in the morning, though. If he slept uneasily there were no obvious signs from him as he flicked Ambrose for two from his first ball of the day and then cover drove McLean sumptuously for four. His move from 80 to 88 took him just 18 minutes. The next dozen runs, however, were squeezed out as the bowlers gave him no respite.

Ramprakash waited patiently. Singles were taken, the fielder carefully chosen and his score mounted. When 90 the ground announcer attempted to place a jinx by asking the crowd not to invade when he got to his 100. He appeared not to notice.

In reply the West Indies were 84 for 1 at close with the loss of Philo Wallace leg before wicket off Dean Headley.