Arran Thompson made a measured 65 not out to steer England's women to a morale-boosting victory over a Women's Cricket Association of India XI in Madras.

It was their sole warm-up game before the start of the one-day series and although there was little excitement on offer, Clare Connor's side were well satisfied with a six-wicket win.

A dead pitch made fluent strokeplay impossible and the home side could only manage 137 for nine in their 50 overs.

Opener Jaya Sharma made 30 and the lower order threw the bat late on, but England never relaxed their grip as vice-captain Clare Taylor and left-arm spinner Dawn Holden claimed two wickets each.

There was encouragment for teenage leg-spinner Sarah Clarke, who also picked up a wicket in her first appearance for England.

Their over-rate was, however, poor and a two-over penalty meant they had only 48 to score the required runs.

Two wickets fell to run-outs in the middle of the innings, but Thompson made the most of her opportunity by batting for over three hours and facing 119 balls.

She was joined by skipper Clare Connor near the close, with Connor contributing an unbeaten 13 as they passed their target with 11 balls to spare.

WCAI XI innings
G Sharma c and b Clare Taylor 0
J Sharma c Holden b Connor 30
S Naik c Newton b Holden 23
S Ran run out 0
R Malhotra c sub b Clarke 4
Kamakshi run out 34
A Patel c and b Holden 0
S Bhowmic c and b Thompson 4
S Nirali b Clare Taylor 11
S Lakshoi not out 6
V Gupta not out 1

Extras 24
Total (for 9 wickets, 50 overs) 137

Bowling: Pearson 10-1-24-0, Clare Taylor 10-0-41-2, Connor 8-2-20-1, Newton 6-1-16-0, Holden 6-1-9-2, Clarke 6-1-15-1,
Thompson 4-0-10-1.

England innings:
C Atkins c Naik b Gupta 7
A Thompson not out 65
M Godliman run out 6
L Newton run out 11
K Lowe c Kamkshi b Bhowmic 11
C Connor not out 13

Extras 26
Total (for 4 wickets, 46.1 overs) 139

Did not bat: S Clarke, J Cassar, D Holden, Clare Taylor, L Pearson.

Bowling: Lakshoi 7-0-18-0, Gupta 10-2-26-1, Patel 7-1-11-0, Bhowmic 6-0-20-1, Nirali 6-0-24-0, Malhotra 4-0-18-0, Kamakshi 6.1-1-19-0.