Australia A vs. England XI Cricket 2013: Scorecard and Daily Recap from Hobart

Preparation for the upcoming Ashes series continues in Hobart as Australia A host an England XI that is looking to impress on foreign soil.

The visitors played poorly in the stalemate with a Western Australia Chairman's XI, but the encounter with Australia A provides another opportunity for fringe players to impress ahead of the next battle for cricket's famous urn.

A host of major names are included in England's side, per BBC Sport, including Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Matt Prior and James Anderson. Australia's team are without key stars such as Michael Clarke, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and more.

An untouched Bellerive Oval pitch provides batters with a real chance to make an impression, while those trying to smash through the wicket might find the going tough.

Bleacher Report will provide a daily recap as well as the latest scorecards from each day of the encounter.

Stumps, Day 4, Hobart.

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England 430-7 dec (128 overs), Australia A 119-3 (31 overs). 

Match drawn

It's already been a difficult tour for the visiting side. The first game brought about a batting collapse and some uncertain bowling, while this second one was ruined by some very un-Australian weather.

Both Michael Carberry and Alastair Cook retired out on their scores from Day 1—153 and 15, respectively—but only Joe Root made a meaningful contribution further down the order.

Batting at No. 5 to accommodate Carberry, Root survived a huge shout for leg before wicket early on in his innings, but soon got the measure of the pitch.

Although Australia managed to get some late movement, Root was very watchful, playing each ball on its merits and trusting his judgement. 

If a ball was there to be driven, he duly obliged, playing some lovely shots straight past the bowler. He was also unafraid to clear the fielders, lofting the ball over midwicket to the boundary.

The young Yorkshireman got some support from Matt Prior—a steady 26—and remained unbeaten on 58 when England declared on 430-7.

James Anderson duly got stuck into the Australia A batting lineup, removing the talented Alex Doolan and Usman Khawaja, but there just wasn't enough time in the game to get them into a real rhythm.

The most worrying aspect of the game, however, was when Prior failed to take the field during the home side's innings, with Root assuming his position behind the stumps. The ECB website described Prior's injury as "a tight calf," so it will be hoped he recovers in time for the first Test.

Speaking to ex-England bowler Derek Pringle in a feature for The Telegraph, Australian great Glenn McGrath was unconvinced of the amount of preparation afforded the England side:

"

They would be under-prepared if this weather carries on. They will want to play as many games as possible. Their match in Perth probably didn’t go as well as they would have liked.

This one started well for them but they’ve only had two batsmen have a hit.

"

On the other hand, batting coach Graham Gooch wasn't worried when he spoke to Pringle:

"

It’s not an issue, it’s the life of a cricketer. Sometimes you play every match, sometimes that is taken away from you. We can’t control that, can we?

Ideally, you want all your guys to have a run-out, gain some rhythm and confidence and remove the cobwebs.

"

Stumps, Day 3, Hobart

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England XI 318 (93.0 overs)

Another day of frustration greeted England as they were robbed of a further chance to practice ahead of the first Ashes Test, which is now less than two weeks away.

Adverse weather once again left Alastair Cook to stare at the pitch with a range of grimaces, knowing he and his fellow top-order batsmen would miss out on vital preparation time ahead of Nov. 21.

While some of England's players were able to leave the ground to find some nets—the Bellerive Oval currently has a lack of them, per Cricinfo—the likes of Cook and Michael Carberry had to stick around in case play was possible.

In the end, it wasn't. Batting coach Graham Gooch detailed England's attempts to bypass the problem, per Cricinfo:

"

I've been to the indoor nets with a few players yesterday and today and no doubt we'll be back there tomorrow if the rain stays around. It's okay there for the non-playing guys but the players had to wait to see if the rain subsided and we could get out there.

You make the best of it but it's not ideal. Your enthusiasm goes a little bit, so they do need to be out there because time is short now, five playing days before the first Test left and that's minimal, isn't it?

"

England now only have one more day of this warmup match, plus one further outing, to sharpen up their game ahead of their reunion with Australia.

England innings		Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Alastair Cook	not out	154	272	19	0
Michael Carberry	not out	153	288	22	2
	Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 1, nb 2)	11
Total	For 0	318	(93 ovs)

Stumps, Day 2, Hobart

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England XI 318 (93.0 overs)

England were frustrated as rain prevented a single ball being bowled on Day 2 of their warmup against Australia A at the Bellerive Oval.

Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry had given the tourists a superb foundation during the opening day's play, but neither was able to add to scores of 154 and 153 respectively.

The washout robs England of vital playing time ahead of the first Ashes Test, but does shine the torch on Cook's captaincy for the remainder of the match.

England's skipper was recently accused of being a "boring" and "negative" captain by Shane Warne, per Sky Sports, so it will be interesting to see if he decides to declare in order to keep the clash interesting.

England innings		Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Alastair Cook	not out	154	272	19	0
Michael Carberry	not out	153	288	22	2
	Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 1, nb 2)	11
Total	For 0	318	(93 ovs)

Stumps, Day 1, Hobart

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England XI 318 (93.0 overs)

In a complete reverse of the warm-up match in Perth, England quickly took advantage of batting conditions to punish Australia A at the Bellerive Oval.

Captain Alastair Cook opened with Michael Carberry at the crease. The latter could force his way into contention for Ashes selection with a strong showing, something he duly delivered during a frustrating first day for the hosts.

Both Cook (154no) and Carberry (153no) remained in power at the close of play, escaping Australia's bowlers with assured performances. Most notably, Carberry's display built upon his 78 in Perth and reconfirmed the assertion that England could have a new batting star to unleash during the upcoming series.

England Innings		Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Alastair Cook	not out	154	272	19	0
Michael Carberry	not out	153	288	22	2
	Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 1, nb 2)	11
Total	for 0	318	(93 ovs)

Bowlers Glenn Maxwell (0-80), Trent Copeland (0-68) and J M Holland (0-66) posted the worst numbers, while Ben Cutting (0-56), Usman Khawaja (0-6) and captain Moises Henriques (0-34) also struggled to drum up any excitement for the home crowd.

By close of play England had posted the largest opening partnership ever seen at the ground, per Cricinfo, leaving Joe Root to contemplate the idea of batting lower down the order in the first Ashes Test.

Cook's performance, after an inconsistent summer, will be just as pleasing as Carberry's patient knock. Neither man always found runs easy to come by, but they bided their time before cashing in later in the day.

If there was any element of hope for Australia, it will have been the uneasy start both openers made to their innings, which could offer up early chances in the heat of Ashes battle. However, that may just be clutching at straws.