Ian Ward made history today by becoming the first Englishman to make a century in the West Indian Busta Cup competition but his efforts were in vain as England A lost vital first innings bonus points to Trinidad and Tobago.

His 100 at the Queen's Park Oval will be remembered not just as an historic first, nor even as a first-class fifth, but as a seven hour and 20 minute vigil against spin that got England A to within eight runs of Trinidad's first innings total.

England A's last wicket partnership proved to be the most nerve-wracking phase of the match with Ward, the settled experience batsman trying to keep the strike away from Jason Brown, who bats at 11 for good reason.

In the hunt for points, their target was 250, but with 242 on the board, the weary Ward went to drive at Ramnarine and the ball just clipped the top of his stumps. While the Trinidadians celebrated wildly, Ward stood still looking at the dislodged bail in total disbelief.

His reaction was one of massive disappointment and a realisation that first innings points are vital in this competition. It was a magnificent effort from the Surrey opener who after three A tour innings of 49, 69 and 109, is clearly the man in form.

If all remaining matches are as tough as this Trinidad and Tobago encounter, England A may well find themselves renaming this competition the Busta Gut. It has not been the easiest three days in England A's distinguished history and Ward's century was all the more noteworthy for that.

Afterwards he expressed his deep disappointment at losing his wicket at such a crucial time.

"The fact I scored a century was academic in the end. It would be nice to revel in some glory but unfortunately we missed the target we set ourselves which was to win first innings points. But we have to pick our heads up - there is still a bit of cricket in this game and the pitch is deteriorating rapidly.

"I sat down with Alex Tudor before we came out after tea and we both agreed it was very much on. He virtually has a Test hundred to his name so he's no mug with the bat. We were under no illusions how hard it would be but if he played his natural aggressive game we thought we could put the pressure back on Trinidad. It nearly worked but it was just unfortunate we couldn't carry on.

"I was trying to stay there but chose the wrong route and managed to drag the ball onto my stumps which was disappointing. I had a few expletives going on in my head."

"I might as well have got nought because we didn't make the target. Personal goals are all well and good but we failed in our team objective. We always knew this would be a tough competition, playing on foreign soils and travelling around like as circus as we are. They are not excuses, they are facts and we just have to deal with them and realise how important the runs are on these low scoring wickets."

At 123 for six, those first innings points looked unlikely but both Tudor and Paul Franks made valuable contributions with Tudor making 32 and Franks chipping in with for 18, the final four wickets adding 119 runs.

Trinidad and Tobago, starting their second innings with a seven run lead, added 25 in the 12 overs that remained of the third day's play but lost opener Andy Jackson when Tudor had him caught behind for 11.

More quick wickets will be needed tomorrow if England A stand any chance of winning and on a deteriorating pitch, the final day's play is set to be tense.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd