Perth tour match ends in draw
England's first tour match ahead of the Ashes in Australia ended in a draw in Perth on Saturday, with the Western Australia Chairman's XI giving the England bowlers a good work-out, and Ian Bell shining with the bat.
England's first tour match ahead of the Ashes in Australia ended in a draw in Perth on Saturday, with the Western Australia Chairman's XI giving the England bowlers a good work-out, and Ian Bell shining with the bat.
Bell was England's star performer during the Ashes in England, and he continued his love affair with Aussie bowlers as he recorded yet another century, making 115 (retired out) on day three at the WACA.
Jonathan Trott, who did not have a great Ashes at home, was also impressive, and was on 113 not out when England were all out for 391 earlier in the day, with the lower order not providing much resistance.
The visitors began the day on 270 for two, with Bell and Trott both having passed half tons the day before. They continued without much opposition until Bell decided to give the other batsmen a go and retired.
It didn't go according to plan though, as Matt Prior, Ben Stokes and Gary Ballance all failed to reach double figures, while only Steve Finn could do so. The tail bowlers, not expected to score runs, did just that as Jim Allenby ended up with four wickets.
This left England to take the field again for the latter half of the day, and Boyd Rankin soon removed both openers cheaply. Chris Lynn was again the star for WA, adding a 61 not out to the ton he scored in the first innings.
Mitchell MArsh was also able to record a half century, making 62 before falling to Finn, who took two wickets in one over to make his figures a tad more respectable. Overall though, Rankin was the pick of the England pacemen.
When WA reached 168 for five, the game was called a draw. The next tour match will be played in Hobart next week, against Australia A.
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