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Strauss leads from the front

Kimberley - Andrew Strauss hit an unbeaten century as England romped to an eight-wicket win in a 50-overs warm-up match against the Warriors franchise team at the Diamond Oval Sunday.

It was England's second successive big win after they crushed the Eagles by 185 runs in their opening match in Bloemfontein two days earlier.

Captain Strauss and Joe Denly put on 175 for the first wicket as England hurried to victory with 9.1 overs to spare after the Warriors made a respectable 254 for five.

Denly was out for 82, hit off 85 balls, while Strauss went on to make 117 not out off 119 deliveries. It added up to a satisfying start for Strauss, who made 72 against the Eagles.

Earlier the England bowlers were made to work hard on a typically batsman-friendly Kimberley pitch.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann took three for 26 but the rest of the bowlers did not make much impression. Left-hander Arno Jacobs top-scored for the Warriors, making 83 not out off 83 balls. Namesake and captain Davy Jacobs hit 50 off 59 deliveries.

Just five days away from the opening international match of the tour, a Twenty20 international in Johannesburg Friday, England were without two pace bowlers because of injury.

Stuart Broad was rested because of what was described as a minor shoulder injury, while Graham Onions again sat out because of a sore back.

With the exception of Onions, England fielded all the members of the squad who did not play in the opening match against the Eagles in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Three of the Warriors wickets fell to stumpings by Matt Prior.

The Warriors, who are unbeaten in the South African domestic limited overs competition, were without several of their leading bowlers, who were on duty with the South African squad for a one-day international series against Zimbabwe.

Strauss and Denly scored at almost six runs an over to set their team up for an easy win before Denly was out in the 29th over.
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