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England attack frustrated in draw | England attack frustrated in draw |
(20 minutes later) | |
England's bowlers endured a frustrating end to their final Ashes warm-up match against South Australia which ended in a draw in Adelaide. | England's bowlers endured a frustrating end to their final Ashes warm-up match against South Australia which ended in a draw in Adelaide. |
Spinners Monty Panesar and Kevin Pietersen were the only wicket-takers as the hosts reached 164-2 in their second innings. | |
England had earlier been bowled out for 415 with Andrew Flintoff making a steady 47 and Sajid Mahmood a rapid 41. | |
The first Ashes Test begins on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane. | The first Ashes Test begins on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane. |
South Australia batsmen Matthew Elliott and Daniel Harris shared an opening partnership of 94 until left-hander Elliott clipped Panesar to mid-wicket where James Anderson leapt to pluck a brilliant right-handed catch above his head. | |
Elliott, who hit eight boundaries in his 55, was dropped by Kevin Pietersen low at backward point off Anderson when on nine in the eighth over. | |
Cameron Borgas then swept off-spinner Pietersen high to substitute fieldsman Ashley Giles at deep mid-wicket to depart for 27. | |
Harris finished unbeaten on 71 after wicket-keeper Geraint Jones missed a difficult stumping chance off Pietersen when on 68. | |
Despite making England's breakthrough, Panesar took just one wicket in conditions that suited spinners, while seamers Flintoff, Anderson, Matthew Hoggard and Mahmood failed to take a wicket in the 30 overs they bowled on an unresponsive pitch. | |
However, England did have some good news concerning bowlers when Steve Harmison was deemed fit enough to come on as a fielding replacement. | |
Ed Joyce, called up to replace Marcus Trescothick, also got the chance for some practice in the field. | Ed Joyce, called up to replace Marcus Trescothick, also got the chance for some practice in the field. |
Meanwhile, South Australia bowler Shaun Tait allayed fears about his fitness by returning to bowl six overs on Sunday. | Meanwhile, South Australia bowler Shaun Tait allayed fears about his fitness by returning to bowl six overs on Sunday. |
The paceman, who is in Australia's 13-man squad for the first Test, left the field on Saturday with cramp in right thigh and calf. | The paceman, who is in Australia's 13-man squad for the first Test, left the field on Saturday with cramp in right thigh and calf. |
He finished with the best figures among the home side's bowlers with 3-87. | He finished with the best figures among the home side's bowlers with 3-87. |
Jones was the first man out when England resumed their innings, edging a catch to Mark Cosgrove off a Daniel Cullen off-break for 33. | |
Flintoff was clearly intent on getting some batting practice, spending two-and-a-half hours over his 108-ball innings. | Flintoff was clearly intent on getting some batting practice, spending two-and-a-half hours over his 108-ball innings. |
He was finally bowled for 47 trying to slog spinner Cullen Bailey. | He was finally bowled for 47 trying to slog spinner Cullen Bailey. |
Mahmood batted vigorously but was stumped after wandering down the wicket and missing a swing at one of Darren Lehmann's slow, left-arm teasers. | Mahmood batted vigorously but was stumped after wandering down the wicket and missing a swing at one of Darren Lehmann's slow, left-arm teasers. |
England's first innings was ended just before lunch when James Anderson swept a Bailey leg-break onto his right boot, with wicket-keeper Shane Deitz doing well to catch the ricochet. | |