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England Lions lost a high-scoring first one-day international against New Zealand A by 35 runs, despite 94 from Jonathan Trott.

Graham Napier (77) and Eoin Morgan (74) also hit quickfire half-centuries but could not pull off the run chase for Robert Key's tourists, who found themselves in pursuit of a mammoth 373 for six at Palmerston North.

Kiwi opener Peter Ingram anchored the innings with 135 from 129 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six as the hosts took a liking to the short square boundaries after being invited to bat first.

There were also half-centuries down the order from Shanan Stewart (59) and Nathan McCullum (50no) - the latter smashing five fours and three sixes off only 26 balls as he and Brendon Diamanti blasted an unbroken 73 from only 26 deliveries together after Ingram was last out.

Napier (three for 74) fared best of the England bowlers, although none managed to concede less than Sajid Mahmood's six an over.

Key and Trott gave their team a solid platform in reply, in a 61-run stand after the captain's county team-mate Joe Denly had gone early.

But Key fell six short of his 50 via a run-out mix-up with his second-wicket partner - and although Morgan and then Napier's power hitting subsequently kept England competitive, the lower order could not help the Essex all-rounder provide the late surge required.

Test seamer Michael Mason (three for 61) and Diamanti (three for 74) were New Zealand's most successful bowlers as England were bowled out for 338 at the start of the 49th over.

Sporting Life / Eurosport