Australia Invitational XI vs. England Cricket 2013: Day 4 Scorecard and Recap

England (418 & 151-3) beat Australia Invitational XI (304 & 261) by 7 wickets

England triumphed in their final Ashes Warm-Up game against the Australian Invitational XI. Alastair Cook’s side won by 7 wickets and look to be building form nicely ahead of the first Ashes test in Brisbane on 21st November.

With rain forecast overnight, morning sun beating down provided an especially encouraging sight at the start of play. A sentiment echoed by England paceman Stuart Broad:

"

The forecast was 95% chance of rain most the day today, and I leave the ground sunburnt. #brit #on #tour

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) November 16, 2013"

The hosts resumed day four on 153-4, but found themselves in trouble pretty early on. Broad removed Kurtis Patterson to leave the invitational XI on 180-5; the England all-rounder finishing with figures of 2-32 from 16 overs. That was before Steven Finn (3-88) and Boyd Rankin (3-46) cut through their opponent's lower order with a pair of wickets each in the morning session, helping to bowl the hosts out for 261. 

Australia Invitational XI - Batting Scorecard, 2nd Innings

Cowan	b Broad	42	104
Finch	b Swann c Carberry	59	60
Ferguson	b Finn	26	87
Patterson	b Broad	22	82
Rohrer	b Rankin c Bairstow	13	16
Carters	b Swann c Bairstow	40	83
Nevill	b Finn c Bairstow	11	29
Lalor	b Rankin c Bell	8	16
Tremain	b Finn c Pietersen	20	34
Muirhead	b Rankin c Bairstow	4	8
Bills	not out	7	16
Extras		9
	Total

England - Bowling Figures, 2nd Innings

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Broad	16.0	8	32	2
Finn	20.5	6	88	3
Rankin	21.0	7	46	3
Swann	27.0	10	69	2
Trott	1.0	0	3	0
Root	3.0	0	16	0

With both Rankin and Finn picking up wickets, it gives England a selection headache ahead of the first test. Broad and James Anderson are nailed on starters, but that third seamer spot is still in the balance.

It remains to be seen whether Cook and co. go for the dangerous, but often erratic Finn, or the more economical, controlled style of Rankin. Chris Tremlett is also in contention, and Aussie skipper Michael Clarke has already stated he believes that the Surrey man will get the nod over Rankin and Finn.

On the flip side, the batting order looks all but settled, and that was reaffirmed here as England chased down the target of 148 with plenty of time and wickets to spare.

With the prospect of rain still looming, England knew they had to score at a quick rate. Cook fell early for just 12 runs, but his new opening partner Michael Carberry put England firmly in control with an eye-catching half-century. The Hampshire man looks to have cemented his place at the top of the England order.

He fell to leg the spin of James Muirhead for 50. And whilst England lost Pietersen cheaply, (6) unbeaten knocks from Ian Bell (33*) and Jonathan Trott (38*) steered England past their target score with plenty of time left in the day. They finished on 151-3.

England - Batting Scorecard, 2nd Innings

Cook	b Muirhead	21	48
Carberry	b Muirhead c Sub	50	71
Trott	not out	38	75
Pietersen	b Tremain	6	10
Bell	not out	33	30
Extras		3
Total	for 3 wickets	151	from 38.4 overs

Now, thoughts turn to the serious stuff, as the Ashes starts in just five days time. Can England retain the urn once again down under? Stick with Bleacher Report for in-depth build-up, coverage and analysis throughout the series.

All statistics courtesy of ESPN Cric Info