England on top of Australia A as Bell just misses double ton
Ian Bell’s 192 for England against Australia A has left the visitors poised for victory in Hobart.
England were finally dismissed for 523 – in reply to Australia A’s comparatively meagre first innings total of 230 – with Bell’s middle-order batting partner Paul Collingwood the first to go on day three, caught behind off the bowling of Clint McKay for 89.
That brought Matt Prior to the crease and the England wicketkeeper added 27 before leg-spinner Steven Smith struck for his first wicket of the match after taking some punishment from Bell and Collingwood on day two.
While that wouldn’t have done his chances of inclusion in Australia’s final Ashes squad any favours – he was selected in the extended 17-man squad alongside fellow spinners Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty – he had the last laugh against Bell today, denying him a double century when the batsman was caught attempting to drive Smith in the air through cover.
Smith finished with figures of 2-118 from his 27 overs for the innings, but it was left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe who was the best of the Australians, cleaning up the tail to record figures of 4-88 from 24 overs.
With England back in the field, it was Tim Bresnan’s turn to shine, the seamer bowling Australia A opener Ed Cowan for 33 and the next ball sending Test hopeful http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 back to the pavilion for a golden duck.
Callum Ferguson, also named in the 17-man squad earlier in the week failed to make much more of an impression on the scoreboard, with Bresnan rattling his stumps for 10.
With Bresnan wreaking havoc on the batsmen, opener Phil Hughes offered the only resistance for his side, finishing unbeaten on 58 at stumps in a welcome return to form.
At stumps Australia A were trailing by 165 runs, while fore England Bresnan had recorded figures of 3-25.
Meanwhile, in the Sheffield Shield, Michael Hussey has finally made some much-needed runs for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Victoria-c859 at the MCG, while teammate Mitchell Johnson earlier took 5-35 for the Warriors as Victoria’s first innings came to an end on 141.
In http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 who nearly brought the Tigers’chase undone, with figures of 5-39 in the second innings, while Hauritz didn’t get handed the ball on the final day’s play on the pace-friendly Sydney wicket.
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