Varun Chopra making waves in country

LONDON: Cricketer of Indian-origin Varun Chopra of Essex became the youngest cricketer in 109 years to score a century in county cricket.

He scored the century on his championship debut in a finely poised match against Gloucestershire. Chopra made 106 from 162 balls while skipper Ronnie Irani hit 87 in the home side's total of 388 all out on Thursday.

At 18 years and 338 days, Chopra beat the previous record set by Arthur Jervois Turner in 1897 by 71 days.

Chopra said: "I was just happy to get my chance to play. I had been getting some good scores in the second XI and to get a century for the first team is something special."

"I have been with Essex since I was eight years old and my ultimate aim is to play for England. Hopefully, this is a step along the way," he told newsmen.

Chopra, who turns 19 next month, was born and raised in Ilford and coached both by Joe Hussain, Chennai-born Nasser Hussain's father, and Graham Gooch.