ALASTAIR Cook led England to a comfortable Rose Bowl win and an early lead over India in the Natwest Series last night.

On the ground where he scored the first of his two ODI hundreds - against India four years ago – Cook made an unbeaten 80 (63 balls) as England beat the world champions by seven wickets in a match reduced to 23 overs a side.

Despite appalling weather for much of the day, the Rose Bowl groundstaff ensured play could begin at 7pm – five hours after the scheduled start.

England looked up against it when they conceded 187-8 after winning the toss, with Suresh Raina outstanding.

But on another excellent Rose Bowl international wicket, England chased down the 8.2 runs an over target with five balls to spare.

Raina was one of only four members of Indian’s World Cup-winning squad involved last night, alongside Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Munaf Patel.

A veteran of 121 ODIs but still only 24, he hit a magnificent 40 from only 19 balls.

But India’s understrength attack meant it was not enough, even against an England side missing Eoin Morgan (shoulder) and Kevin Pietersen.

Craig Kieswetter blitzed 46 from 25 balls during the five-over powerplay.

Three sixes – one against Vinay Kumar’s medium pace and successive maximums against off-spinner Ravi Ashwin – propelled England to a start Usain Bolt would be proud of.

Kieswetter was lbw in the seventh over of England’s chase but Ian Bell was typically fluent on the ground where he has scored ODI and Test hundreds.

It was against India in 2007 that Bell and Cook shared 178 in an eight-wicket win.

There was no century stand on this occasion as Bell drove to extra cover for a 16-ball 25.

But captain Cook kept going, reaching fifty from 37 balls that included three fours and a pulled six against Ashwin before seeing England home.

There may have been no Sachin Tendulkar, but India’s batsmen had provided a glimpse of their future after being asked to bat by Cook.

The world champions enjoyed typically passionate support, with the Indian tricolour unfurled with pride in all corners of the Rose Bowl.

With several players - including Tendulkar - injured, India’s young stars took the chance to show what they can do.

Parthiv Patel, having hit a career-best 95 in the abandoned series opener, blitzed 28 of India’s first 30 runs, including two sixes against Tim Bresnan during the mandatory five-over powerplay.

His opening partner Ajinkya Rahana laid the foundations for India’s total with a 47-ball 54 in only his second ODI.

Rahane’s knock included the biggest six seen at the Rose Bowl for a long time, pulled high against Stuart Broad on to the top of the temporary seating.

His 79-run stand in 11 overs with Rahul Dravid (32) was a classic mix of youth and experience.

Dravid played the support role before becoming the first of three victims for Graeme Swann, sweeping to mid-wicket.

Kohli went cheaply, one of three catches for the Bell, whose fielding at long on was spectacularly good.

But Raina was simply brilliant.

His blitz included three sixes, two of which were driven against Jade Dernbach before he carved Bresnan over point.

He was finally out shortly after calling for a runner, chipping a high return catch back at Swann, who shone despite the wet conditions.

Bresnan was grateful for some superb catching for his three wickets, two from Bell and another from Stokes.

They ensured India were restricted to a total that England never looked like failing to chase down.