Captain Andrew Strauss hit an undefeated 117 to lead England to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over local franchise side the Warriors on Sunday. In batting-friendly conditions, the Warriors compiled 254 for five wickets in their 50 overs after choosing to bat first. Their bowlers toiled with little reward, though, as England raced to 256 for two in 40.5 overs. Strauss hit 10 fours and a six in his 119-ball innings, as he and opening partner Joe Denly put on 175 for the first wicket, off 29 overs. Denly scored 82 off 85 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, before being caught at long-on off the bowling of seamer Darryl Brown. Alastair Cook then hit four boundaries in a 36-ball innings of 34. He and Strauss took the score to 228, when Cook pulled Rusty Theron to Justin Kreusch at square-leg. Strauss and Paul Collingwood then added 28 off 16 balls to hasten the end. Collingwood finished on 12 not out. Earlier, Arno Jacobs had contributed a run-a-ball 83 not out to the Warriors' total, with namesake and captain Davy Jacobs scoring 50. The two added 130 runs for the fourth wicket off 20.1 overs before Davy Jacobs was caught by Strauss off Saj Mahmood trying to hit over the inner ring, with the score on 223. That was the only success for a seamer among the England bowlers. Off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed 3-26, while leg-spinner Adil Rashid took 1-47. Rashid's victim was opener Justin Kreusch, stumped by Matt Prior after he and Riaan Jeggels had put on 60 runs for the Warriors' first wicket. Kreusch scored 32 off 43 balls, while Jeggels made 30 off 60 balls. England will be pleased with its form, with two wins in two outings after Friday's 185-run victory over the Eagles at Bloemfontein. Its next match is a Twenty20 duel against South Africa A in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
