Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright admitted he did not think he would get a chance to bat after impressing with a hard-hitting cameo in England's 51-run warm-up victory over Canterbury in Auckland today.

Wright was down to bat at No 8 in the first of two 50-overs matches before the start of the Twenty20 series next week and only arrived at the crease with five overs remaining.

But it was enough time for Wright to score three fours and three sixes and hammer 42 off 15 balls as he added 37 in only three overs with Ravi Bopara His efforts guided England to a competitive total of 295-6 before they dismissed Canterbury for 244 in reply.

Wright said: "To be honest I didn't think I was going to get in, but it all happened quite quickly and it was nice to get in for five overs and luckily it went well.

"I suppose it suits me to either go in at the top of the order or the end just trying to get bat to ball. It was perfect for me and Ravi to go in and have a go.

"We've got a strong squad so everyone is fighting for their places at the moment. Every time we go out in the middle or in training everyone is trying to impress and get in that first side."

Wright's cameo innings followed impressive displays from Ian Bell, who top-scored with 79, Alastair Cook, who hit a quickfire half-century, and Kevin Pietersen's 48.

Johann Myburgh hit 87 for Canterbury in reply, but Jimmy Anderson's 5-47 helped dismiss them with 21 balls remaining - prompting the bizarre sight of the home side continuing until the end of the 50 overs to finish on 261 -11.

Should Luke Wright be in England's team for the Twenty20 international series against the Kiwis?