DHARAMSALA: Ian Bell scored the first century of the series as England claimed a morale-boosting victory by seven wickets in the fifth and One-day International against India at the HDCA Stadium here on Sunday.

The stunning Himalayan hill station of Dharamsala, hosting its first-ever international, proved a spectacular venue but England who rose to the occasion with Bell guiding them through by making 113 not out.

It was a satisfying way to end a tough trip for England, who bowled India out for 226 and chased it down with 16 balls to spare.

Bell's immaculately-paced hundred, his third in ODIs, was the centrepiece but figures of 4-45 from Tim Bresnan, playing his final match before treatment on his troublesome elbow, earn him a special mention.

Off-spinner James Tredwell also performed with distinction, finishing the series with 11 wickets as he returned a miserly 2-25.

The hosts, who secured the series by going 3-1 up in Mohali, were spared an even bigger defeat by Suresh Raina's 83.

England captain Alastair Cook made 22 before paceman Ishant Sharma parted his stumps with a cutter.

Kevin Pietersen was too impatient for that and fell for six when a top-edged pull off Shami Ahmed saw him caught at deep midwicket by Ravindra Jadeja.

Bell launched Ashwin for England's first six and when the batting powerplay was enforced they were within 85 of their target.

Joe Root was bowled for 31 by Jadeja sweeping across the line.

Bell's ton arrived when he despatched his 133rd ball into the onside for four.

Eoin Morgan began defensively but opened his shoulders in the closing stages, striking three sixes in the space of nine balls to finish unbeaten on 40.

Bell hit the winning run and punched the air in delight.

Earlier, England's bowlers made good use of the morning conditions having asked India to bat first. Bresnan proved he was still fit enough to cause India problems, sending Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back with successive balls in the fourth over. Both men fell to full swinging deliveries and both were held at second slip by Tredwell.

Yuvraj Singh survived the hat-trick ball but was gone for a duck, squared up by Steven Finn and floating a catch to Morgan at point.

Opener Gautam Gambhir fared better, making 24, but when he fell to Tredwell India were in strife at 49-4.

Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni added 30 before Finn returned to trap the Indian captain lbw for 15.

But Raina had not given up the fight. He lifted Root for a second six and brought up his 50 with a wonderful strike over extra-cover. Jadeja proved the perfect foil, accelerating the run-rate with two straight sixes of his own.

England put down Raina on 61 and 63, Cook diving at square leg and Tredwell getting fingertips to a return chance.

It was Tredwell who eventually ended the 78-run stand, Jadeja (39) going on the attack but only managing to loop a catch to point.

Raina, who was named Man-of-the-Series, reached 83 before pulling the recalled Chris Woakes straight to Bell at mid-wicket.

Ashwin (19) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (31) both had fun towards the end, which came when Bresnan took the last two wickets in the final over.—Agencies