Lendl Simmons used his uncle's old stomping ground to slam his seventh first-class hundred against Leicestershire yesterday and enhanced his claims for a place in the West Indies side for the opening Test against England next month.

Simmons, whose uncle Phil played for Leicestershire, retired hurt on 102 with cramps in his right arm, as West Indies declared their first innings on 315 for six on the second day of their warm-up tour match at Grace Road.

He shared 154 for the fifth wicket with left-hander Brendan Nash to transform the complexion of the West Indies innings, after they slumped to 80 for four at the close on the previous day.

Retired hurt

Nash made 78 before he, like Simmons, retired hurt and allowed others to gain valuable batting practice before the 100 overs - the maximum allowed for the first innings for three-day tour matches - had expired.

West Indies then restricted the home team, who made 182 in their first innings, to 51 for one when stumps were drawn.

"It feels really good to get a century and get ready for the Test series against England," said Simmons. "I played against England in Trinidad and got a feel of Test cricket so I'm now looking to continue from there and make more progress."