England dominate in final warm-up

England XI 523 and 0 for 11 beat Australia A 230 and 301 (White 111, Hughes 81, Bresnan 4-86, Panesar 3-63, Tremlett 3-67) by 10 wickets


With still a third of England's warm-up games to play England have decided to effectively name four of their starting eleven over a week before the 'real' Test begins by sending their youthful trio of seamsters and world-class cherry tweaker up to Brisbane for a hard-earned net. In their absence England's batsman were instead joined by four back-up all eager to stake their claim should Messrs Flower and Strauss choose to make changes during the five match campaign.


Strauss called correctly and gave his new look attack the first opportunity to exploit what looked a lively surface. Chris Tremlett, who has undergone a cricketing rebirth since his move from Hampshire to Surrey last summer, took the new ball and was first to strike, drawing Phil Hughes into a defensive poke high outside his off stump edging to keeper Matt Prior. Tremlett carrying where Andrew Flintoff left off in 2009 exposing Hughes with the shorter ball, a frailty he will have to overcome if he is to feature this winter.


Ajmal Shahzad who has been on the fringe of the England setup for much of year joined forces with Tremlett and together they caused havoc on a pitch that was doing just enough. Shahzad was justly rewarded with the wicket of Test hopeful Usman Khawaja having beaten the outside edge on numerous occasions and spitting some Sidebottom-esque banter at the hapless Aussies for good measure.


Tim Bresnan came on as first change and despite looking the least threatening soon joined in the fun catching Callum Ferguson on his crease with a ripsnorter that barely feathered the outside edge. Exactly five overs later and  Bresnan had Monty Panesar to thank for his second wicket of the morning. Opener Ed Cowan who had quietly trundled to 31 pulling a short ball in the air only for the Monster to pull off a blinding catch with his right paw, naturally he took the plaudits.


When Tremlett had captain Cameron White bowled for 5 through the gate the hosts found themselves tottering at 58 for 5 and in danger of complete capitulation. However wickie Tim Paine and allround Steves, Smith and O'Keefe, provided some steadfast lower order resistance, both Smith and O'Keefe passing fifty ensuring Australia posted a respectable 230. Aptly it was Tremlett and Shahzad who finished most impressively, the former bagging four wickets, while the Yorkshireman claimed three victims at an economy of well below three.


Seven overs at the tail end of the day against the England captain and his deputy was an unlikely consolation for Australia A, and the prized wicket of Andrew Strauss made sure the hosts had something to build upon on day two.


Nightwatchman Panesar removed Australia's bowlers had less luck on the second morning Cook soon passing fifty to back up his unbeaten century in Adelaide. But a mini-collapse (don't say it too loudly!) in the afternoon that accounted for Cook, Trott and Pietersen left England teeering at 137 for 5.


As it turned out Australia A claimed their sixth wicket over 60 overs and 240 runs later as the tourists took complete control of the match. It was England middle order stalwarts Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood who exacted most of the damage, the former batting his way to a hefty 192 and effectively rubbishing any chances of an Australian victory.


Bell is a changed man nowadays, no blond highlights, ripped jeans or cocky swagger and most importantly a departure from the school boy inhibitions about technique and in its place a new found thirst for runs. He still compiles his innings in meticulous fashion however, watchful early on punishing the bad ball, and later on able to rotate the strike and find pockets in the field to keep the board ticking over, truly a joy to behold.


Bell and Collingwood guided England through to the close of play Bell having passed his ton with consummate ease and Collingwood not out on 74 within sight of the three figures that alluded him against South Australia in the previous game. 

Resuming on 335 for 5 the destructive duo added a further 42 runs before Collingwood edged behind to Paine trying to pull Clint McKay falling 11 runs short of a century. Bell powered on past 150 partnered by keeper Matt Prior (27) and Tim Bresnan (36) and was eventually caught at cover eight short of a double century. The Warwickshire batsman came to the crease at 137 for 5 and left with his team in complete command at 487 for 8, his contribution a testament to Bell's renewed importance to the England team over the past 18 months leaving the likes of Eoin Morgan to carry drinks around cricket grounds the world over.


Chris Tremlett was eventually caught at mid off trying to clear the ropes but not before England had passed 500, eventually bowled out for what at a day ago seemed an unlikely 523.


After a marathon 141 overs in the field the Australians could be forgiven for a slight lapse in concentration when returning to the crease on day three to try and make a dent into what was now a potentially match-winning deficit of 293. And after a promising start led by a determined Hughes England broke through thanks to the wiley arm of Tim Bresnan forcing Cowan into dragging on. The very next ball and Australia were two down and Bresnan on a hat-trick, Khawaja edging low to Prior behind the stumps to leave the hosts delicately poised on 66 for 2.


The Yorkshireman failed to complete a hat-trick but did take his tally to three six overs later, Callum Ferguson bowled for 10 and capping off a disappointing match for the South Australian. The arrival of Cameron White sparked a mini-recovery for the home side with White and opener Hughes sharing a stand of 101 for the fourth wicket. But is was Tremlett's extra lift that again proved Hughes' undoing, Strauss taking a sharp chance at first slip to send the left-hander on his way for a gritty 81.


However his departure marked the beginning of the end for Australia A who capitulated in the face of what was now inevitable defeat. Paine and Smith managed just two runs between them as Tremlett laid down a marker for his fellow second-string compatriots. Monty Panesar made useful contributions knocking over the tail and giving himself a much-needed confidence boost.


Amongst the carnage White remained imperious passing fifty and soon a hundred with relative ease proving his repertoire extends well beyond the hustle and bustle of limited overs cricket. The Aussies eventually crept over 300   but a lead only 10 runs meant 9 balls into England's second innings and Strauss' team had completed a comfortable victory over a team of talented international cricketers.


The 'real' Test is now in sight for England and if the last three weeks are anything to go by on then it has been a near perfect pom performance thus far...