India A vs England Lions: A... tie!!?? St Johns Wood Road, London Middlesex England

When a team posts 343 in 50 overs a victory is normally a formality. When England's batsmen rattled up this total yesterday, the bowlers must've thought a containment only a containment effort would be neccessary. Yet another player pressed a claim for promotion to the senior series versus Bangladesh. This time it was Ian Bell, who scored a one day career best of 158 off just 143 balls. He shared century stands for the second and third wickets before falling fourth at 306. Inevitably the lower order went after the bowling with similar eagerness, but slightly less efficacy. Chris Woakes was run out off the final ball as the Lions reached their total with the loss of 8 wickets.

No massively explosive mainstay performances from the Indians in return. Mukund scored at just over a run a ball for his 114 (almost Strauss-like in comparison to Bell's antics). The rest of the team made some powerful cameos, but each batsman in turn was dismissed just as they were set up for a big score. With 12 needed off the final over, free hitting Abdulla was run out for 13.The over culminated in a last ball bye which ended the game in a thrilling tie. India A also scored 343-8 in their 50 overs, and with no bowl out to decide the game, honours were even.

The two teams meet again on Thursday for the tri-series final.