Published: 30/06/2010 11:43 - Updated: 30/06/2010 11:55

England Lions got their Triangular series campaign off to a winning start with a five wicket victory over West Indies A in Northampton with eight balls remaining.

Jonathan Trott (118) and Alastair Cook (71) were in fine form with the bat while Shahzad was easily the most impressive bowler managing figures of 2-25 from his 10 overs.

 

Fellow new ball bowler Chris Woakes was typically miserly and he was rewarded in his fourth over with the scalp of Andre Fletcher. Edwards and Assad Fudadin embarked on a recovery mission and their stand of 137 helped ease the pressure on the West Indies.

In reply England Lions stuttered to 24 for one in the fifth over when Davies spooned a simple catch to Smith off Gavin Tonge. Trott joined Cook at the crease and the pair kept up with the run-rate with a succession of boundaries which included a pulled six from the skipper off Andre Russell.

Cook then holed out off Imran Khan for 71 as he tried to force the pace but Bell (44) kept the scoreboard ticking along as West Indies employed the unusual sight of two legspinners bowling in tandem.

Trott reached his century, from 116 balls, but there was still work to do once Bopara played on with 27 still needed from four overs.

Trott relieved some of the pressure by clipping Russell over midwicket for four but he could not quite see the job through, edging behind with just six runs required. It was left to Darren Stevens to hit the winning runs on debut.

 

"Edwards had a good innings for them but I thought we did well in the field. We're happy with the way we chased, I'm just disappointed I didn't manage to stay in at the end and see it through."