England Beat Prime Minister's XI in Rain-Affected Encounter

England switched from Test to One Day mode with ease as they swept aside a Prime Minister's XI by seven wickets at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The Prime Minister's XI featured familiar names such as Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Xavier Docherty, Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja while England rested their Test bowling attack and gave Eoin Morgan and Steve Davies a chance.

Rain cut short the Prime Minister's XI innings to 43 overs but they managed a competitive 254-9. Daniel Christian top scored with 53, Paine opened and made 50 and Callum Ferguson added 39.

The pick of the England bowlers was Michael Yardy with 3-33 from nine overs, Ajmal Shahzad took 3-61, Chris Woakes 2-63 and James Tredwell 1-45.

Luke Wright, Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen shared eight overs and returned 0-54.

England's reply was interrupted by rain and a new target of 223 from 35 overs was set.

Ian Bell maintained his majestic form with 124 not out from 102 balls, although he was dropped while on 71.

Davies hit 24, Jonathan Trott 48 and Pietersen 13 as England cantered towards their target with nine balls to spare to win by seven wickets.

Eoin Morgan and the out-of-form Collingwood didn't even get the chance to spend some time in the middle ahead of the Twenty20 and ODI series against Australia with the tourists opting to stick with the batting order instead of giving other players an opportunity.

Xavier Docherty was the pick of an ordinary attack with 2-38, Brett Lee took 1-35, while Trent Copeland (0-47), James Pattinson (0-37), and IPL player Daniel Christian (0-66) went wicketless.

In preparation for the Twenty20 and One Day internationals England's bowlers at least got a work out while Ian Bell pushed for a place in both sides with a classy innings.

The first of two Twenty20 games starts on Tuesday night (19:05)/Wednesday morning (08:35GMT).