ALASTAIR Cook made an unsuccessful return to action but it did not prevent England Lions from triumphing in the Triangular Series thanks to a five-wicket win over India ‘A’ at New Road.

A fine 90 from Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale, who had led the side in two earlier matches in the series, helped the Lions to chase down a 279 target with eight balls to spare.

England opener Cook was available after missing the previous three games with a back problem and looked to prove his fitness ahead of the Test series with Pakistan in three weeks.

But the Essex player, who skippered the side on this occasion, survived only three deliveries before being trapped lbw by a ball of full length from 18-year-old India paceman Jaide Unadkat.

Cook has only one LV County Championship game — against Yorkshire at Chelmsford — available for him to play in before the Test opener at Trent Bridge on July 29.

India were put into bat and openers Abhinav Mukund and Shikhar Dhawan plundered 68 runs off the opening 10 overs with new ball bowler Chris Woakes proving particularly expensive.

Liam Plunkett made the breakthrough in his first over when he had Dhawan (39) caught behind down the leg-side by former Worcestershire keeper Steve Davies.

The Indian innings struggled to maintain the same level of momentum on a pitch slower than the one used for a thrilling tie between the two sides on Tuesday.

Somerset all-rounder Peter Trego, another former Worcestershire player, bowled his 10-over spell straight through at a cost of only 37 runs and Lancashire spinner Steven Parry made an impressive Lions debut.

Parry, called up to replace James Tredwell who had joined up with the senior squad facing Bangladesh, returned 3-48.

His victims included Mukund, whose 62 off 77 balls contained eight boundaries.

It was left to Cheteshwar Pujara to give the innings a late boost with an unbeaten 87 from 89 deliveries with two sixes and four fours as 48 runs came from the last five overs.

Warwickshire seamer Woakes conceded 73 runs in his nine overs.

After Cook’s early dismissal, Davies played with fluency to reach a second successive 50 against India, off 52 balls with nine fours.

His innings came to a tame end on 55 when he offered a simple return catch to Dhawan.

Ravi Bopara (30) became Unadkat’s second victim when he was bowled after attempting to work the ball to leg.

Gale looked assured and composed as he went to his half-century off 71 balls and his final 40 runs only occupied 43 deliveries.

He was finally caught behind when driving at Jaskaran Singh after hitting 10 fours.

The game was in the balance at that juncture with 58 still needed off eight overs at 221-4.

But Kent’s Darren Stevens provided the necessary acceleration in making 68 off 53 balls with nine fours and a six before he lofted Iqbal Abdullah to long off.