FORMER Cockermouth all-rounder Ben Stokes shone with the bat as England Under-19s won their first warm-up game ahead of the World Cup.

Chasing 214 to win they cruised past Wellington 'A' to win by six wickets with 13 overs remaining and Stokes, who was born in Christchurch and lived in Wellington, was unbeaten on 50.

Stokes wasn't meant to play as he had missed a couple of training sessions with severe sun stroke but one member of he party fell ill so he fielded for about 10 overs. Although he didn't bowl he a allowed to bat and did so very well.

In a message home to dad Ged Stokes, the Whitehaven RL coach and mum Deb he said it was a good start and was great to be out in the middle again after feeling so lousy for the previous two days.

In contrast to the sunburnt Ben, his mother freezing in Cockermouth, said: “My brother -in-law was there with his four kids so it was great for Ben to catch up with his Wellington cousins who he hasn't seen for over five years.”

Gloucestershire left-armer David Payne took 3-20 from seven overs during England's emphatic victory in Karori as the home side was bowled-out for 213.

England made a perfect start in their reply with openers Joe Root and Dent blunting New Zealand pace bowler Mark Gillespie en route to a quickfire 63-run partnership.

The pair fell in quick succession, both to Malaesaili Tugaga, as England slipped to 72 for two in the 12th over.

But the double setback did little to stop, England who continued to canter towards victory with James Vince and Jos Buttler, of Hampshire and Somerset, putting on 68 runs.

Both were dismissed by Mark Houghton, which set the stage for Stokes to blast England home.

The Durham all-rounder cracked five fours and four sixes to finish unbeaten on 50 from just 32 balls.

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