Second string bowlers put England on top against Australia A
England’s second string bowling attack has given Andrew Strauss’ side the advantage in day one of their final Ashes warm-up match against Australia A.
With key bowlers Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn and Graeme Swann acclimatising in Brisbane ahead of the first Test at the Gabba, Chris Tremlett led the way with figures of 4-54 in Hobart, while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajmal-Shahzad-c42489 also pushed his case for a call-up to the playing XI should any of England’s first choice bowlers require replacing during the five-Test series with three wickets of his own.
Only http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Monty-Panesar-c2024 failed to get amongst the wickets on day one – Tim Bresnan took 2-65 – but the spinner did manage to hang onto a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Australia A opener Ed Cowan (31) as England imposed themselves on the match in its early stages.
The tourists' second choice bowlers at one stage had Australia A on the ropes at 66-5, with batting duo http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 selectors look to whittle down their 17-man Ashes squad - in which both have been included – to a 12 or 13-man squad ahead of the Brisbane Test, which begins on November 25th.
Australia A opener Phil Hughes also disappointed, making just two; his failure perhaps justifying selectors’ decision to omit him from the extended Ashes squad after a lean run at state level.
The standout performances from the hosts came from Steven Smith, another Ashes hopeful, who made 59 before Shahzad rattled his stumps and Steve O’Keefe (66) who bailed their side out of serious trouble as they finished with a first innings total of 230.
In reply, England were 22-1 at stumps, with skipper Strauss the man out, dismissed for 10 after sending an edge to O’Keefe in Gully to provide http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mark-Cameron-c1899 with his first wicket of the match.
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