Australia Invitational XI vs. England Cricket 2013: Day 1 Scorecard and Recap

England failed to capitalise on an excellent start to put themselves in a difficult position after the first day of their Ashes warm-up match with an Australia Invitational XI. The hosts finished on 271-5 at the close of play.

Aaron Finch	c Bairstow b Broad	4
Ed Cowan	c Trott b Finn	51
Callum Ferguson	lbw b Broad	8
Kurtis Patterson	c Cook b Finn	5
Ben Rohrer	c Carberry b Broad	19
Ryan Carters	not out	94
Peter Nevill	not out	76
	EXTRAS	14
	TOTAL	271-5

Australia batted first at Sydney Cricket Ground, stuttering into action with Aaron Finch, who clattered an early four before quickly being bowled out by England’s standout player, Stuart Broad.

Ed Cowan offered some resistance with 51 runs from 93 balls as those around him fell in limp fashion. Callum Ferguson and Kevin Patterson were dismissed for eight and five respectively, while Ben Rohrer slowly worked his way to 19 before Broad notched his third success of the day.

Things changed dramatically after this point.

Ryan Carters and Peter Nevill, both of whom represent New South Wales, turned the day on its head by lasting the rest of the day at the crease. Having at one stage been in deep trouble at 93-5, Carters led the fightback for the Australia XI with a personal 94, while Nevill aided his fight with 76.

	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Economy	Wickets
Stuard Broad	20.0	7	36	1.80	3
Boyd Rankin	20.0	4	60	3.00	0
Steven Finn	22.0	4	79	3.59	2
Graeme Swann	22.0	5	66	3.00	0
Jonathan Trott	5.0	1	22	4.40	0
Joe Root	1.0	0	1	1.00	0

England’s bowlers, who were having an easy day until the duo burst into life, were left frustrated as the day’s play came to a close.

Broad’s place in the Ashes team is nailed down, highlighted by his three wickets that owed much to a consistent line.

However, Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin haven’t covered themselves in glory as they vie for a place in the team for the first Test, which will begin on Nov. 21 in Brisbane.

Finn took two wickets from 22.0 overs and did prove he can be dangerous early in an innings, but his fast start was diminished as he failed to find a way through Carters and Nevill.

He conceded 79 and grabbed four maidens, but remained jovial after the disappointment:

Rankin’s inability to snatch a wicket saw him concede 60 from 20.0 overs, also with four maidens.

England have it all to do heading into the second day and will hope Broad can once again dominate with the ball in his hands.

All stats provided by Cricket365.