Bell Century in Vain as England Lose by Six Wickets

Ian Bell continued his excellent form in limited overs cricket but his century could not stop England from losing their second warm-up game by six wickets before the one-day international series against India.

Bell put on 113 with Eoin Morgan as England put in a much improved batting display from the one that saw them lose to India A on Sunday as the Warwickshire batsman eventually fell for 108.

England achieved 295-5 in their 50 overs but Delhi opener Shiktar Dhawan got the home side off to the perfect start as he scored 110 to help them ease to victory with nine balls remaining.

There is now just three days before England open their account against India in Rajkot and captain Alastair Cook will be hoping for a much improved display from the entire team against a dangerous home side.

England did rest some key players as Kevin Pietersen, Tim Bresnan and Jos Buttler were all left out of the side, with Joe Root, Stuart Meaker and Cook taking their places.

Bell continued where he left off on in the first game where he made 91 as his final score of 108 came from just 128 balls after opening the batting.

However, he eventually trapped lbw to Varun Sood but there was a key contribution from Morgan who made 52 before he was caught by Unmukt Chand off the bowling of Jagrit Anand.

Craig Kieswetter proved that he was in good form by scoring 41 not out from just 27 balls as England fell just short of 300.

Yet it never looked enough as the England bowling attack struggled to get into the game as Milins Kumar hit an unbeaten 78 and was well supported by Rajat Bhatia whose 45 saw Delhi comfortably home.