Saturday, just as the match was shaping up for an exciting finish.

The rain came at the end of the Lionel Thomas XI's 40-over innings in mid-afternoon, when they posted 169-8.

The covers were put on the wicket as a precaution while the teams went off for the presentation to the honourees, former Cup Match players Nathaniel Proctor of Somerset (1937-54) and Norwood (Brodie) Smith of St. George's (1936-54) and statistician and former cricket annual editor Tommy Aitchison.

Unfortunately the covers were never removed as the rain continued before the organisers eventually abandoned hope.

Guest player, Ian Bishop of the West Indies, who was presented with a cedar lamp, bowled five overs for Gladstone (Sad) Brown's team, taking the wicket of Keith Wainwright whom he had caught at slip by Dennis Archer.

The plan was to have Bishop also bowl at the Brown XI batsmen when they began their innings but those present had to be satisfied with his first spell which cost him 21 runs for one wicket.

Winston (Coe) Trott was the most successful of the Brown XI bowlers, taking two for 28 from eight overs. Oliver Bain, who shared the new ball with Bishop, had an economical 10 over spell which yielded just 28 runs.

Jeff Pitcher showed he is still no slouch with the bat, smashing five fours and four sixes in his top knock of 54 before retiring late in the innings.

Clyde Best supported Pitcher with 26.

New National Squad players, Keith Wainwright and Kwame Tucker, put on 28 for the first wicket against Bishop and Bain before Wainwright went in the seventh over for 12. Tucker scored 22 while Sammy Robinson and Lee Raynor struck 15 apiece.

MASTER CLASS -- West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop passes on some tips to an attentive group of youngsters during yesterday's rain-affected testimonial match at Lord's. Bishop grabbed one wicket in his five-over spell before the weather deteriorated and prevented play in the second innings.