Jonathan Trott capitalised on some lacklustre bowling to pencil his name into England's Test side with a measured century on day two of the warm-up against Bangladesh A today.
After an Ashes ton on his debut last year, Trott had an indifferent time in the Tests in South Africa, passing 50 on only one occasion and failing to reach double figures in the climax to the series.
Today's match in Chittagong —Trott's first of the tour — saw the Warwickshire batsman retire out having reached 101 to all but assure himself a role in Friday's series opener in the same city.
Matt Prior made a fine unbeaten 73 of his own as England declared on 281 for seven before the hosts reached 131 for three at stumps in their second innings, a lead of 52.
Trott began the day on 32 and his only real scare came 10 runs later when he survived a loud lbw shout from Dollar Mahmud.
The 28-year-old brought up a 76‑ball half century with a four that came courtesy of a neat flick to fine leg. England reached 150 in the 35th over but there were just nine more runs added before Ian Bell was trapped lbw by Mehrab Hossain.
It was Hossain's second success of the match, having accounted for the out-of-form Kevin Pietersen yesterday. Unlike Pietersen's meagre two, at least Bell reached a respectable 47.
Trott milked some average bowling before the interval and hurried to his century in 134 balls. He promptly quit his innings, giving way to Tim Bresnan but the Yorkshireman only made nine when he was caught out.
Prior coasted to his half-century — and took England past 250 — before losing another partner, James Tredwell for a duck.
Alastair Cook then closed the innings with Prior and Liam Plunkett (eight not out) at the crease.
Cook utilised all four seamers in the first 11 overs of Bangladesh A's second innings but it was the arrival of Tredwell that made things happen as he claimed the wickets of Shamsur Rahman (23) and Mehrab (4).
Pietersen also got in on the act, trapping Junaid Siddique lbw after he had made 37 but there was some joy for the hosts as Raqibul Hasan reached his 50 just before the close.
