Thorpe proved a lengthy lay-off had done him no harm at all

"We had a bit of a fright early on and then Ben and myself were able to rebuild it. To have batted for 45 overs in a competitive nature has been really pleasing.

"I really enjoyed it out there. It was just what I needed. It was a really hard work out for me and I'm glad I've come through it.

"I've got a few aches and pains, but nothing you wouldn't expect from my first game of cricket in quite a few months.

The Surrey duo were finally split when Hollioake miscued a pull straight to mid-on after scoring 61 from 77 deliveries. Thorpe fell two overs later - caught at long on just five shy of a deserved century.

"It was pleasing more than anything that I didn't try and do anything too extravagent. My normal one-day game plans were all there," said Thorpe.

Skipper Nasser Hussain will be pleased with the younger players' efforts

"The mind was working well and it was good to see Ben playing so well in the partnership because he's a big part of our one-day plans."

Matthew Hoggard, Jeremy Snape, James Kirtley and Jamie Foster - all playing one-day internationals for England for the first time - all caught the eye.

Kirtley and Hoggard shared the new ball well. Between them they took five wickets, and Kirtley also took two catches.

The first was breathtaking - running in from the boundary to remove the dangerous Dirk Viljoen, he had to take the catch one-handed above his head after not quite judging the flight.

Snape hit a rapid unbeaten 27 to help England add 82 in the final 10 overs - and then took two wickets with his off-spin.

And Foster had a stumping and two catches - one of them a screamer off the left-handed Barney Rogers.