Cricket Australia Invitational XI v England XI at Sydney

I went to the SCG for Day 3 of this pre-Test game. Play commenced promptly at 10:30am on a cloudy morning . Overnight England were 302/5 with Root on 26 not out and Bairstow 11 not out. The first rain stoppage occurred after 15 minutes. Play resumed after half an hour with the Yorkshire duo scoring freely and Root in particular playing some beautifully timed stokes for boundaries. Unfortunately he was struck on the fingers by a rising delivery from Lalor. He had lengthy treatment on the field before resuming . At 351/5 he hit a lovely 4 for an impressive 50 and the players dashed off the field with the score on 356/5. 

A long lunch was taken as the heavens opened, play eventually re-starting at 1:20pm. Eventually the partnership was broken when Bairstow nicked a ball outside his off stump to w/k Nevill from the persistent Tremain..372/6. Then Broad made his entrance to a few boos and catcalls and a shout from an English bloke near us who called out..''no I wouldn't have walked either Broady!..''  to general laughter.He kick started his innings with a well timed cover drive for 4 off the bowling of Lalor. Broad's cameo of 16 came to an end when he spooned a catch to Carters at mid-off from the bowling of Bills...a poor shot 397/7. Swann came to the wicket to raucous approval from the contingent of England supporters at the ground. The SCG has extensive work going on with the construction of a major stand so this fixture had a constant background of drilling. Only the traditional pavilion and the Ladies pavilion were opened but that was all that was required for a crowd of probably no more than 500. Swanny is clearly a popular figure amongst the 'Barmy Army' a small representation of which had come along. Swann smashed Bills for 4 to push England over the 400 mark as we bathed in the welcome afternoon sunshine.

Joe Root was then surprisingly bowled by Bills playing an awful shot, unusually for him, across the line . He had made an impressive 75...408/8. Finn joined Swann but did not last long. He was caught at slip by Finch off the spin bowling of Muirhead for a duck..409/9. Last man Boyd Rankin came in and immediately nicked Muirhead for a lucky 2. Swann clearly decided to take on the bowling and fortunately skied a drive just over Cowan for 4 off Bills. The Notts man's fortune very quickly ran out though as he cut Muirhead airily to Cowan at gully for 11...England all out for 418 at 2:35pm...a lead of 114. England's mini collapse was complete, a tame effort after the earlier good work by Root and Bairstow, The last 5 wickets had fallen for a meagre 46 runs.

CA Invitation XI's 2nd innings started with Cowan and Finch opening the batting...a good combination of caution and explosive hitting. Broad opened the bowling from the Randwick End to ex-Notts man Cowan. Finn supported Broad then Rankin replaced Finn as the wayward trio were dispatched to all parts. The hosts raced to 52/0 in 10 overs. After 13 overs England turned to Swann. He bowled a couple of tidy overs before tea and the score then was 68/0

There may have been stern words from Andy Flower at the break as the England bowling improved markedly at the resumption. Finch lofted Swann into the Ladies pavilion for 6 then next ball popped one straight into the hands of Carberry as the Notts man made the much needed breakthrough...81/1. Ed Cowan was joined by Callum Ferguson . Broad eventually got the scalp of his ex-Notts team mate who was bowled for 42. Not for the first time Cowan had done the hard work and needed to get a ton to really reminf the Aussie selectors of his credentials. He received an excellent delivery from Broad to be fair though who jagged one back to castle the Tasmanian left hander...120/2. Next to go was Ferguson who was  bowled by Finn for 26..135/3. Rohrer's was the final wicket to fall on an intriguing day's cricket when he was caught behind by Bairstow off the improving Rankin for 13..152/4

So England finished the day in a decent match position . However, I would be concerned at the wayward opening spells by the pacemen which needs to be sorted at Brisbane. The spearhead Anderson was rested in this game and it's vital that Broad and the 3rd paceman give him good support next week where the wicket is likely to be green and full of pace and movement particularly early on     

cheers Andy

On Day 4 England wrapped-up victory by 7 wickets. All the bowlers bagged wickets, then Carberry grabbed another 50, Trott and Bell ringing-in the win as the Tourists cantered to their first tour triumph.