PERTH: England’s top-order batsmen did what their bowlers couldn’t and played their way into form in the opening match of their Ashes tour against the Western Australia Chairman’s XI yesterday.
At stumps on the second day, England were 270 for two on a lifeless WACA pitch in reply to the home team’s 451 for five declared.
Jonathan Trott, who survived a confident lbw appeal early in his innings, was on 64, while Ian Bell was unbeaten on 77 as the pair spent valuable time in the middle ahead of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba starting on November 21.
Opener Joe Root was the only England batsman who failed to cash in and he became the only player dismissed for under 50 in the three-day match when he was trapped lbw for 36.
Root averaged 37.7 with the bat during England’s 3-0 Ashes triumph earlier this year.
Fellow opener Michael Carberry made 78 against an impotent bowling attack, putting his hand up for an opening berth amid captain Alastair Cook’s back problems, and said it had been a productive day for the tourists.
“The important thing is I spent some good time in the middle, which I think most of the batters have managed to do leading into the next few games and the first Test,” he said.
Carberry, who played one Test in 2010 and worked as an electrician during the last English winter, admitted he was surprised to be named in the touring squad, but is confident he can do the job if he gets a second chance at Test level, whether it be as an opener or down the order.
“I don’t see myself as a reserve anything,” he said.
“I have come out with the mentality to play, all I can try and do is knock on the door.” AFP
