Eoin Morgan underpinned England's 331 for four with a maiden Test hundred on day one of the four-match npower series against Pakistan at Trent Bridge.

Morgan (125no) was retained in the team, following two underwhelming innings against Bangladesh at the start of the season, only because of the broken toe Ian Bell suffered in a mid-summer one-day international.

But the Irishman made no mistake at his third attempt to underline his Test credentials, dominating a record unbroken double-century stand with Paul Collingwood (81no) after England had appeared in trouble on 118 for four following three quick wickets either side of lunch.

The fifth-wicket pair held firm against the threat of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, both exploiting the cloud cover for Pakistan, before taking toll of back-up bowlers who could not exert necessary control.

Collingwood was rarely as fluent as his partner but at his best in terms of dependability, to ensure a telling England recovery and provide vindication for Andrew Strauss' borderline decision to bat first under cloudy skies.

Teenage seamer Aamer was the man responsible for the early damage, taking three wickets across a handful of lively spells.

Alastair Cook was the first of Aamer's victims when he edged to slip for eight, with captain Andrew Strauss (45) and Jonathan Trott (38) following after getting set.

Kevin Pietersen, without a competitive innings in nearly a month, made just nine before playing on to Mohammad Asif.

But limited-overs star Morgan showed he has the temperament to succeed in the longer format as he followed Collingwood's lead in a period of attritional, defensive cricket before freeing his arms to bring up his century with a big straight six.