Cricket: Captain Alleyne in commanding form

England A 455-9 dec South Island 135-5

MARK ALLEYNE helped England A into a commanding position at the end of the second day against South Island in Christchurch, hitting an unbeaten 152 as the tourists declared on 455 for 9. He later took a wicket as South Island closed on 135 for 5.

The captain batted beautifully, facing 268 balls and hitting 21 fours and a six as he moved towards a declaration. He shared in partnerships of 80 with the wicketkeeper Rob Turner (40), 46 with Darren Thomas (18) and 54 with Michael Davies (17).

Ronnie Irani fell for only eight, caught at mid-off from one of his first aggressive strokes, but Thomas and Davies added valuable runs down the order. The Worcestershire left-arm bowler, Alamgir Sheriyar, then struck twice, as did Thomas, called in to replace Chris Silverwood, who is now with the full English side.

Second day of four; England A won toss

ENGLAND A - First Innings

(Overnight: 294-5)

*M W Alleyne not out 152

R J Turner c Wiseman b Wisneski 40

R C Irani c Inglefield b Wiseman 8

S D Thomas b Wisneski 18

M K Davies b Wiseman 17

Extras (4b 7lb 6nb) 17

Total (for 9 dec,149.4 overs) 455

Fall: 1-59, 2-114, 3-170, 4-199, 5-237, 6-317, 7-355, 8-401, 9-455.

Did Not Bat: A Sheriyar.

Bowling: Bulfin 25-3-111-0; Wisneski 37-16-98-5; Martin 27-11-64-1; Wiseman 45.4-10-120-2; Redmond 13-1-41-0; Richardson 1-0-6-0; Cumming 1-0-4-0.

SOUTH ISLAND - First Innings

*R A Lawson lbw b Alleyne 46

C D Cumming c Ward b Sheriyar 18

C B Gaffaney c Irani b Sheriyar 2

M H Richardson c Turner b Thomas 27

J I Inglefield c Irani b Thomas 3

A J Redmond not out 25

G J Hopkins not out 10

Extras (4lb) 4

Total (for 5, 49 overs) 135

Fall: 1-28, 2-30, 3-73, 4-79, 5-111.

To Bat: P J Wiseman, C E Bulfin, C S Martin, W A Wisneski. Bowling: Sheriyar 17 5 41 2 Thomas 11 1 34 2 Irani 11 2 41 0 Alleyne 6 1 10 1 Davies 4 2 5 0

Umpires: G A Baxter and R S Dunne

n The first Test between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka was abandoned as a draw after heavy rain wiped out play on the final day in Bulawayo.