LONDON, England: James Taylor underlined his England credentials with an unbeaten century for Sussex against Australia on the final day of the tour match at Hove.
Taylor’s dominant innings of 121 was perfectly timed just hours after learning he had been included in the England squad for the third Ashes Test as cover for the injured Kevin Pietersen.
The Nottinghamshire batsman proved he is ready to play at Old Trafford on Thursday if Pietersen doesn’t recover from a calf injury.
Taylor spent more than five and a half hours at the crease and was the mainstay of the Sussex innings.
Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc enhanced his prospects of playing at Old Trafford by ripping out the leg stump of Chris Jordan for 47 in an impressive spell.
Ed Cowan then made an unbeaten 77 as Australia, missing several of their regular Test players including captain Michael Clarke, reached 152 for two in their second innings.
Meanwhile, controversial Australian batsman David Warner said yesterday that heated on-field exchanges with a South African rival in Pretoria were “friendly banter”.
Play had to halted twice as sledging between Warner and Thami Tsolekile in a drawn four-day ‘A’ international reached boiling point.
“Great to be back playing cricket, had lots of fun this week and a bit of friendly banter from the wicketkeeper. Was very funny!” Warner tweeted. AGENCIES
