Postcard from Canberra

From Andy writing from England's latest tour match:

This day nighter was played in heatwave conditions at the pleasant Manuka Oval ground in Canberra.Liberal PM Tony Abbott's side was captained by Brett Lee and was a mixture of promising young players and old hands. None of the Australian side that has given England nightmares here in Australia featured. 

England's side looked to have a better balance, no pun intended, with the introduction of spinner Tredwell. For once Cook won the toss and elected to bat. The temperature had climbed to 37. Free sun lotion was available and spectators were strongly advised to cover up and use the water pumps around the ground to fill up their bottles.

The heat was immediately on Alastair Cook who sadly raised his bat to deflect a rising delivery straight into the keeper Handscomb's gloves 2 for 1  after 4 balls. Enter Joe Root. After looking a promising player on leaving Blighty he now has that rabbit caught in headlights look about him. It was no surprise when Lee got one to move into him..LBW for 1 England struggling on 12 for 2. Carberry and Ballance then played well, accumulating runs until Carberry was caught in the outer for 47 off the bowling of the impressive and tall Queenslander Ben Cutting. Ballance went on assuredly but lost partners Morgan and Bopara in quick succession for 4 and 18 respectively . Young spinner Muirhead was extracting turn from the Canberra wicket. Ballance eventually fell to Muirhead for 56. England were wobbling on 149 for 6 when an excellent stand between  Buttler and  Bresnan rallied the side. Buttler was poled middle stump by Jackson Bird who is making his way back after injury for a fine 61 whilst Bresnan was caught McDermott B bowled McDermott A for 36. Jordan no 11 and Tredwell no 18 wagged for the tail as a total of 264 for 8 in 50 overs was reached. For PM's XI Brett Lee's opening spell was a reminder of a great bowler whilst youngsters Muirhead and Rose gave Australian supporters reasonable hope that there are spin options in the future.

England quickly had PM's XI in trouble after tea. Rankin though wayward at times was revving up his pace and had Pomersbach well caught by keeper Buttler for 1. Jordan removed Handscomb for 8 playing on . Aliser McDermott was caught by Root off Rankin for 1 and the hosts were suddenly 24 for 3 vwith 39 year old Brad Hodge trying to hold the innings together.Tredwell had come into the attack and immediately settled into a nice rhythm. Canberra starlet Spaseski was out caught by Root off Bresnan for 13 and Hodge lofted Tredwell to the boundary to be well pouched by Carberry for 28. The remaining batsmen were knocked over very quickly as Bopara helped himself under the floodlights. He finished with 4 wickets for 3 runs including castling Brett Lee who had crashed a 6 and a 4 in his 12. The PM's XI finished on 92 all out in 26 overs. A win for England by 172 runs

The victory, albeit against a very moderate side, will hopefully give the side a bit of confidence as they go into the second ODI in Brisbane on Friday. However, Cook and Root can't buy an innings at the moment so deep problems remain at the top of the order.