Jonathan Trott: England Lions batsman scores 79 in Soweto draw

Trott has scored 3,763 runs in 49 Tests

Captain Jonathan Trott hit 79 from 127 balls as England Lions drew their opening tour game against a Gauteng Invitation XI in Soweto, South Africa.

It was his first game for an England side since he left the 2013-14 Ashes tour with a "stress-related illness".

Kent batsman Sam Billings hit 53 before retiring as Trott eventually declared at 176-5 to set Gauteng 441 to win.

The Lions pace attack reduced the hosts to 57-5 but they were 120-8 when a draw was agreed with a storm approaching.

"I'm feeling really good," said Trott. "It's nice obviously to get some runs today and go to Cape Town with a bit of confidence and hopefully continue that in Paarl.

"It's been an interesting challenge for me captaining as well, I haven't done it for a while but I've always enjoyed it."

With all 15 members of England's touring squad able to take part, the five-strong pace attack of Liam Plunkett, Jack Brooks, Mark Wood, Boyd Rankin and Matt Dunn took a wicket apiece before spinners Adil Rashid (2-14) and Adam Riley were given a chance.

Sam Robson (109), Adam Lyth (106) and Alex Lees (85) - all contenders to be Alastair Cook's opening partner in the Test XI - had piled on the runs on day one as Trott fell for six, before the Lions were bowled out for 443 early on day two.

Durham pace bowler Wood then took 4-29 on day two as Gauteng made 179 in reply, but Trott declined to enforce the follow-on, opting to give his batsmen more time in the middle.

South Africa-born Trott spent four months away from cricket after leaving Australia in November 2013, during which time he said his departure was down to being "emotionally and mentally spent".

When he returned, he was part of the Warwickshire squad for less than a month before a recurrence of his anxiety issues forced him to take a month-long break.

Returning to county cricket in May, he averaged 47.69 in the County Championship, scoring three hundreds, while averaging 54.22 in the One-Day Cup where the Bears were losing finalists.

The Lions will now play two four-day games and five one-day matches against South Africa A, starting in Paarl on Sunday.