WORCESTER, England,  CMC – Stroke-maker Ian Bell stroked an exciting century for England Lions but opener Abhinav Mukund responded with one of his own to ensure India A forced a tie in the final game of the Tri-Nations Limited Overs series yesterday.

Winning the toss and batting first at New Road, England Lions piled up 343 for eight off their allotted 50 overs with Bell hammering 158 from 143 balls.

He struck 20 fours and one six and shared a second wicket stand of 107 with Steve Davies (54) and a third wicket partnership of 154 with Darren Stevens who got 64 from 61 balls.

Left arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla (2-56) and medium pacer Jaskaran Singh (2-73) claimed two wickets apiece.

In response, 20-year-old left-hander Mukund hammered 114 from 120 balls to lead a strong India A reply as they also ended on 343 for eight.

Manoj Tiwary hammered 46 from 36 balls and Shikhar Dhawan cracked 44 from 26 balls at the top of the order, while Wriddhaman Saha stroked an unbeaten 36 from 31 balls.

Needing two runs off the final delivery to win, India A scrambled a bye to secure the tie and also book their place in today’s final ahead of West Indies A.

Fast bowler Liam Plunkett was England Lions’ most successful bowler with four for 58.

England Lions finished the round-robin stage unbeaten while India A earned their points from a victory over West Indies A and the tie.

Windies A could only muster a single win following their win over India A in the opening match of the series last week Monday.