Jonathan Trott's unbeaten century helped England Lions declare on a healthy 493-5 in the first Test against New Zealand A.
Warwickshire all-rounder makes unbeaten century to lead Lions attack
Jonathan Trott's unbeaten century helped England Lions declare on a healthy 493-5 in the first Test against New Zealand A, leaving the hosts on 22-1 by the close of the second day.
Despite bowler-friendly conditions in Queesntown, Warwickshire all-rounder Trott hit an unbeaten 138 as the Lions declared on the formidable score.
Trott anchored the innings while Samit Patel came in and made a brisk century of his own - with his 101 coming off 139 balls and including 16 fours.
Luke Wright was also in good touch as he blasted 55 off 50 to fire England into a fine position to declare and take charge of the Test.
Both Wright and Patel will be flying out to the Caribbean to join England's one-day squad to face the West Indies soon, and they look in decent form ahead of that challenge.
Anchor role
"I was on nought when Samit came in, but by the time he got his hundred I was only in my 50s so he played really well and Luke Wright came in and smashed it around so they made my job a lot easier," said Trott.
"It was quite hard work and the ball was still seaming around a lot.
"We've not had any decent, flat wickets, they've all been pretty bowler-friendly so when you get a big hundred like this it's very satisfying.
"I haven't felt at my best throughout the trip so I really had to work hard for my runs so it felt very good to get to three figures."
Trott was in fine form for Warwickshire last season, averaging 62 in first-class cricket, and he says his time with the Lions has helped his form no end.
Lions help
"I went away last year with the A side after a poor 2007 and that gave me a chance to work on my game and improve and that's what I'm trying to do here," he explained.
"Going to India twice last year (with the Lions) definitely helped me because it gave me the chance to play with other top county players and bounce ideas off them.
"It gives you the chance to see how they approach things. Sometimes at our counties we play with each other so much that we perhaps don't help each other out and try and improve each other as much as we could."
New Zealand lost opener Tim McIntosh in the seven overs they batted before the close, with Patel taking the catch off the bowling of Mark Davies.
The Lions will be hoping to make more inroads early on the third day as they look to take a big advantage in the first of two four-day Tests.
