One-day tri-series, Worcester:
England Lions 343-8 (50 ovs) drew with India A 343-8 (50 ovs)
Match scorecard

Bell reached his ton off 117 balls

Ian Bell warmed up for England's one-day series against Bangladesh with 158 as the second-string Lions played out a thrilling tie against India A.

Bell made his highest one-day score from only 143 balls as the Lions posted a total of 343-8 at Worcester.

Darren Stevens weighed in with 64 but an innings of 114 by opener Abhinav Mukund gave the tourists hope.

And despite 4-58 by paceman Liam Plunkett, India A scramble a bye off the last ball to level the score.

With West Indies A already out of contention, the two teams will meet again at New Road on Thursday in the tri-series final.

But the Lions will have top manage without Bell, who is in line to make his first limited-overs appearance for England's senior side since November 2008.

"I believed if I worked on a few areas I needed to, I would have a chance of getting back in the squad," said Bell, who hit a six and 20 fours during his 143-ball innings.

"The Lions still give you the opportunity to come into an England set-up and play 50-over cricket which you don't play in county cricket.

"It has been a worthwhile to come back into and try and play as much of this form of the game as possible," he added.

The Warwickshire batsman reached his sixth one-day century off 117 balls, and then needed only 21 further deliveries to reach 150.

606: DEBATE Does Bell deserve his place in the squad?

He put on 107 with Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies (54) for the second wicket before adding 154 for the third with Stevens.

Jonathan Trott, who is also in the squad to face Bangladesh, was bowled by Dhawal Kulkarni having made just four, but despite his failure, the Lions total should have been more than good enough.

Mukund's century, reached off 112 balls, gave India A a great platform for their run-chase and aggressive batting by Shikhar Dhawan (44 off 26 balls) and Manoj Tiwary (46 off 36) kept them in the hunt.

The tourists needed 12 to win off the final over and despite Iqbal Abdulla being run out by Ravi Bopara, Wriddhiman Saha (36 not out) and Abhimanyu Mithun saw them top 343-8 to earn the tie.

Alastair Cook could return to the Lions team for the final after missing three games with a back problem.

And Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry has been called up to replace Kent's James Tredwell, who will travel with Bell and Trott to join the senior squad.

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