ALASTAIR Cook silenced his critics in dramatic fashion by scoring his maiden One-Day International century in England's NatWest Series thrashing of India last night.

The 22-year-old Essex opener - who some commentators expected to be dropped in favour of Middlesex batsman Owais Shah - batted beautifully for his 102 out of England's match-winning total of 288-2 at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.

With some so-called experts' calling for Cook to be replaced by a one-day specialist, the talented batsman chose the perfect time to respond by reaching his century off 122 balls.

At the other end, Ian Bell also recorded his first-ever ODI ton, reaching a career-best 126 not out from just 118 balls.

Earlier, Matt Prior was out for 19, while Kevin Pietersen added late impetus to England's innings with 33 not out from just 25 balls.

Having set India such a challenging target, England's bowlers then reduced the tourists' top order to tatters, with James Anderson the chief tormentor.

Saurav Ganguly was the first to go, run out from the boundary by Monty Panesar, before Anderson took centre stage.

Gautam Gambhir was then caught by Prior before Tendulkar was snared by Essex all-rounder Ravinder Bopara.

Cook then stole the limelight again, brilliantly catching Yuvraj Singh at slip without scoring to reduce India to 34-4.

The fit-again Andrew Flintoff then removed the dangerous Mahendra Singh Dhoni before Dimitri Mascarenhas removed Inida captain Rahul Dravid for 46 to all but end India's hopes of victory.

Ajit Agarkar and Piyush Chawla were both run out as the Indians' innings subsided to a feeble and unsuccessful conclusion.