AN overjoyed Mark Lewis- Francis declared the best was still to come after claiming 100metres silver for England at the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi tonight.

The 28-year-old Birchfield Harrier clocked 10.20 seconds to finish second to Lerone Clark of Jamaica, who won gold in 10.12secs at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

In the absence of triple Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt and his fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell, the defending Commonwealth champion, among others, the 100m title was up for grabs.

Clark prevailed to emulate his compatriot Powell’s 2006 success, but European silver medallist Lewis- Francis was thrilled with his second-placed finish, which marked his second major senior individual medal.

Lewis-Francis was world junior champion in 2000 and Olympic relay gold medal winner in 2004 but has endured a long barren run due to poor form and injury.

“I’m over the moon with that,’’ said Lewis-Francis.

“If you’d told me 18 months ago I would have got a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games I’d have told you it’s not going to happen.”

It could have been even better for Lewis-Francis with his starting blocks slipping as he powered away from the line.

He added: “I’m happy, but I do believe I could’ve done a bit more. If you get a chance to watch the replay you’ll see that my blocks slipped and my start was disgusting. It happens.

“I don’t think I pushed them in properly – it’s one of those things.”

But it was not all good news for England as Laura Turner was disqualified from the women’s 100m final.