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England’s batsmen showed no sign of letting up on Australian bowlers after the tourists scored a crushing seven-wicket win over a Prime Minister’s XI in a rain-affected one-day match at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
In reply to the home side’s 9-254 from 43 overs, England were set a revised target of 223 in 35 overs after rain delays forced the implementation of the Duckworth-Lewis system.
The visitors comfortably reached the target for the loss of just three wickets and with nine balls to spare, led by in-form opener Ian Bell’s unbeaten 124 off just 102 balls.
Bell struck some powerful drives and cuts on a good batting wicket, but was lucky to survive on 71 when Callum Ferguson was sluggish in retreating for a catch at mid-wicket off the bowling of NSW paceman Trent Copeland (0-47 off seven overs).
Bell shared in a 98-run second-wicket partnership with Jonathan Trott (48) after wicketkeeper Steve Davies (24) had helped get England off to a brisk start.
Bell told reporters he wants to ensure he’s part of the English team for years to come.
“I feel in good form. I just want to keep working hard now.
“It’s not a matter of I’ve done it and I just want to sit back. There’s a lot of hard work to do.
“I want to be part of this team – Test cricket and one-day cricket – for a long time.
“And I just want to keep improving now.”
Tasmanian spinner Xavier Doherty recovered from an expensive start to snare 2-38 off seven overs, while NSW quick Brett Lee was the other wicket-taker for the PM’s XI, finishing with 1-35 off six overs.
Earlier, the PM’s XI captain and opener Tim Paine struck 50 off 59 balls before falling lbw to left-arm spinner Mike Yardy.
South Australian allrounder Dan Christian showed more of the flair that sealed a $900,000 deal with the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League when he clubbed 53 from as many balls.
Lee chipped in with an unbeaten 26 off 18 balls, while South Australian batsman Callum Ferguson was the only other to make a significant contribution with 39 off 50 balls.
While the home side’s efforts were not enough to prevent England from continuing to enjoy a victorious summer, Paine thought his men could still take something from the game.
“Obviously we’d like to win but I think I showed some positive form.
“Young (James) Pattinson bowled quite well. (Xavier) Doherty bowled well.
“Some of our top four got some good stats. But I think that was the difference.”
England’s next match is a Twenty20 clash against Australia in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
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