Bopara is instant hit

Bopara struck an unbeaten 124, just hours after completing a long-haul trek from New Zealand, as England piled up 351 for seven declared against a Barbados Cricket Association President's XI.

Summoned as cover for Andrew Flintoff, Bopara boarded four separate flights - accompanied by England Lions colleague Amjad Khan, who also made a good first impression, claiming two wickets as the hosts closed on 49 for four.

The pair started their marathon journey in Christchurch on Friday afternoon and travelled through numerous time zones via Auckland, Los Angeles and Miami before arriving in Barbados on Saturday.

Bopara, dropped early in his innings at the Windward Cricket Club, launched a vicious assault on a young home attack after tea - charging from 50 to 100 in just 34 balls.

The 23-year-old did not come in until number seven but pushed his claim for inclusion as Flintoff's replacement at the Kensington Oval on Thursday.

Another Test hopeful Tim Ambrose contributed 74 in his first outing for England this winter. Their stand of 146 was dominated, however, by Bopara - who showed no signs of jet lag in his bid to add to the three Test caps he earned in Sri Lanka 14 months ago.

Ambrose's 50 came off 74 deliveries. Bopara reached his own landmark, just before tea, from three fewer - having hit eight fours and a straight six off off-spinner Rostin Chase.

That blow rubbed salt into the wounds for Chase, who had Bopara dropped on 23 at deep midwicket in the previous over. Bopara then upped the ante after tea, savagely attacking giant teenage fast bowler Jason Holder in one over which included two more sixes and two fours.

He celebrated three figures shortly after the departure of Ambrose, whose only involvement previously during the 2008-09 winter has been as a substitute fielder, caught from a tame chip to midwicket.