Pietersen is fast proving a fine batsman in England A colours

Kevin Pietersen hit 147 not out as England A reached 344-8 after day one of their latest match in India.

Pietersen, who also hit a century in one of the one-day matches against India A, scored his latest ton against the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.

The Nottinghamshire star featured in a crucial partnership of 182 with Sussex's Matt Prior, who made 81.

Bilal Shafayat, playing after a one-match ban, also contributed well by hitting 41 batting at number six.

The toss was won by the home side whose opening bowler Ganapathy removed both England A openers, Scott Newman and Kadeer Ali, for ducks.

I don't think the Tamil Nadu side is on a par with India, but it was obviously a big score under pressure From James Milne Have your say on TMS

When Ganapathy then dismissed Michael Lumb for 18, England A stood on 31-3.

Pietersen and Prior then embarked on a long and profitable partnership and when Prior was out, Shafayat stepped to the wicket.

Having missed the final one-day match after the tour management imposed a brief ban on him for swearing during a game, Shafayat eased into his first meaningful innings of the tour.

The two Nottinghamshire players took the tourists beyond 300 before the dismissal of Shafayat and the retirement of Pietersen.

Simon Jones and Simon Francis both recorded ducks before James Tredwell (19 not out) and Shaftab Khalid (11 not out) took England A close to the 350-mark before stumps.