Ahmedabad: A blazing hundred by Kevin Pietersen and some solid contributions by all the batsman took England XI to 408/3 at the end of the first day’s play against Haryana, here.
All the English batsmen came to part against an inexperienced Haryana bowling line-up and comeback man Pietersen scored a blazing 110 with a strike rate of 117.
Earlier in the day, Alastair Cook won the toss and he got together with Nick Compton to provide a solid start to the team. Both players looked comfortable in the middle and played their shots against the new ball. Compton played a good hand of 74 before he got out to Amit Mishra. This innings of his should find him a place ahead of Joe Root in the first Test.
Cook carried on and found good support from Trott, Cook missed his ton by three runs. Pietersen then walked out to bat and looked in astonishing touch. Run flew from his bat and he was particularly menacing on the spinners. Trott got out to Mishra on 46 and Ian Bell walked in at number five.
Pietersen toyed with the attack completed his ton in no time. He hit 16 boundaries and three sixes in his innings of 110, he retired eventually giving other batsmen a chance in the middle.
Ian Bell (57*) and Samit Patel (11) were on the crease at the end of the day’s play.
Brief Score:
England XI: 408/3 (Pietersen 110 retd., Cook 97)