Jonathan Trott scores a century for England Lions against South Africa A

The Lions captain was 128 not out at tea on Day Three

Trott relaxes in training during a session with Warwickshire (Getty Images)

The England Lions captain Jonathan Trott has scored a century in the first unofficial Test against South Africa A at Paarl.

Trott was unbeaten on 57 at the close of play on Day Two as the Lions responded to South Africa's first innings of 504-8 declared.

He advanced to 94 not out by lunch on Day Three and reached three figures just after play resumed with a single off the offspinner Dane Piedt. He was still at the crease at tea on 128, with the Lions on 376-5.

During his innings he shared in century stands with James Vince and Jonny Bairstow in a confident response to South Africa's imposing total, which featured an unbeaten double hundred for the promising Theunis de Bruyn.

It is Trott's third century in his last three First Class innings after he ended the domestic season in fine form for Warwickshire.

The England Lions tour marks the South African-born batsman's return to representative cricket after he left England's Ashes tour in November 2013 with a stress-related illness.

The condition kept him out of county cricket until June, but his heavy scoring towards the end of the season ignited talk of a return to Test cricket, and his appointment as Lions skipper showed he remained in the ECB's plans.

When he discovered he had been handed the captaincy, Trott said: “I’m enjoying cricket again. I still have aspirations to play for England.”

In 49 Tests for England Trott has scored 3763 runs at an average of 46.45.