Tour Match: England XI and Victoria Ends in Draw

Already two games into the Ashes series and with England holding a 1-0 lead this game was a chance to try out a few of the fringe squad members ahead of the Perth Test Match.

Victoria batted first and the England bowlers didn't cover themselves in glory as the home side made 216-2 before declaring.

England are looking for someone to step in for Stuart Broad as he is out of the tour injured, and while Chris Tremlett was economical (0-29), it was Tim Bresnan who was the only seamer to pick up a wicket (1-56). Monty Panesar (1-53) was the only other wicket-taker.

The batsman backed up their previous performances making 184-2 before they declared, as Andrew Strauss made 66 and Ian Bell remained unbeaten on 60.

The tourists then had Victoria in trouble at 197-6, but an unbeaten partnership led to a declaration on 278-6.

Slightly worrying for England is the fact that it wasn't the seamers who had the home side in trouble, it was Paul Collingwood (3-19), Panesar (2-83) and even captain Strauss (1-51) who had a bowl in an attempt to advance the match.

Tremlett finished the second innings with 0-28 from nine overs, Bresnan with 0-28 from 10 overs and Ajmal Shahzad with 0-28 from seven overs, with none of the bowlers overly impressing the selectors.

Then it was England's turn to collapse to 149-6, chasing 311 to win with Clint McKay (4-68) chief destoyer. 

Alastair Cook fell cheaply again, and Steven Davies (18) and Eoin Morgan (6) failed to take their chance to impress.

However, Matt Prior did take his chance with an unbeaten 102 and a steadying partnership with Strauss, batting at eight, and ensured the draw was agreed with England 211-6.

The selectors have learnt that the batting department doesn't need tinkering with. As for the bowler to replace Broad, the favourite has to be Tremlett, but none of the potential replacements really stood up, albeit on a flat pitch.