White in line for Test call after ton

Craig White scored his first century for England at any level here today to strengthen his grip on a place in Nasser Hussain's Test team.

Although still regarded as an allrounder, Yorkshireman White has become increasingly influential as a bowler for both club and country - to the apparent detriment of his batting.

He failed to score even a single during England's three limited-overs internationals in Pakistan, following an unbeaten nought during the Karachi victory with ducks in the defeats at Lahore and Rawalpindi.

His only Test half-century was made in 1994, against New Zealand, and he last scored a championship hundred for Yorkshire more than two years ago, having averaged below 20 for the county in both 1999 and 2000 seasons.

In order to retain his summer Test spot on this tour, however, White may have to convince captain Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher he is capable of batting as high as No 7.

Here, they put him under the spotlight against the Patron's XI with a place at No 6. And, having seen first Graham Thorpe and then Graeme Hick fall tantalisingly short of three figures when apparently well set, White rose to the challenge in splendid fashion as England built up a potentially decisive first-innings lead of 196.

He had reached only 11 by the time Hick (81) uncharacteristically edged to slip a wide long hop from fast bowler Mohammad Sami.

But when he was ninth out for 120, caught behind off former Test pace-man Mohammad Akram, two sixes and 14 fours had been banked - and England were in almost complete control.

White seldom looked in any difficulty against a varied attack containing three useful, if inexperienced spinners.

Better still, he roared from 83 to 97 with the help of just three blows against Munir Ansari - dubbed the Rawalpindi Muralitharan because of his wristy action - and then drove part-time off-spinner Naved Ashraf through extra cover to complete a 168-ball century.

Paul Nixon, Ashley Giles and Ian Salisbury had provided useful support. Then leg-spinner Salisbury and wicketkeeper Nixon combined to have Imran Abbas caught off an out-side edge as the home side ended day three of four on 49 for one.