Gary Ballance was delighted to get a good score under his belt after feeling good for the past few weeks without converting it into big runs.
The Yorkshireman passed 50 for the first time since his recall to the side ahead of the Pakistan series, to hold England's innings together as they were bowled out for 297 by the tourists just before the close of play.
After England were inserted on what looked like a good batting deck, Ballance was at the crease in just the 12th over as Alex Hales and Joe Root both went cheaply, and made 70 to thrust Trevor Bayliss' side towards the 300-mark.
"I felt very good, I have done the last few weeks but haven't gone on to get a big score," he told Sky Sports. "I played nice and straight, they bowled quite full early on and I got a few drives away nice and straight and when I'm doing that I'm very happy. It's nice to get a decent score.
"I'm still trying to play the ball as late as I can, get my head a bit into the ball. As long as I trigger early enough so that when they release the ball I can go forward or back. I don't want to get too far forward because I get my hands out in front of me and then I nick off a bit."
As for the state of the game, he explained: "We spoke at tea and said if we got to 300 we'd be happy with that. If someone had gone on to get a big hundred then 350 would have better but we're in the game now.
Reflecting on how a number of batsman got starts but didn't go on he added: "It's just that kind of wicket - you don't really ever feel in. There's always that ball you feel has your name on it, it was seaming a bit and kept you honest all day. Overall we're pretty happy."
Ballance was out of the side for a little over a year and said he'd worked on his technique with a few trusted individuals as he fought to regain his place,
"My head was all over the place (when he was first left out), it was a tough few months," he said. "You've got to find ways of dealing with it. You feel like everyone is on your case. You've got to be tough enough to deal with it and move on - hopefully I've done that."
England will entertain Pakistan in Cardiff in the final Royal London One-Day Series encounter on Sunday 4 September, secure your seats now here