Pope shines as Eng wrap Ashes prep

PERTH:

Time in the middle and keeping their fast bowling unit injury-free topped England's agenda as they wrapped up their only pre-Ashes practice match on Saturday against a second-string England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth's north-east.

The result being of no importance, a sporting Lions declaration on the final day of the three-day warm-up gave England's first-choice batsmen just over two hours to chase 202, which they achieved with five wickets remaining.

"The guys have all had a good three days out here," said paceman Brydon Carse, who landed three wickets after recovering from a 24-hour bug.

"The group of seamers have all got a decent amount of overs in and some of the batters have spent some time at the crease. Everyone is raring to go."

Number three batsman Ollie Pope backed up a first-innings century with a breezy 90 from the attacking 'Bazball' play-book, while Joe Root scored an unremarkable 31.

Earlier, Ashes hopeful Jacob Bethell top-scored for the Lions with 70.

England are in good spirits after fast bowler Mark Wood, who complained of hamstring stiffness on day one, was given the all-clear following scans.

The visitors' hopes in the opening Perth test, starting on Friday, were further boosted with confirmation that Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood had been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

"He's obviously a massive bowler for Australia, I'm sure we'll see some part of him throughout the series," said Carse.

The 34-year-old's omission leaves Australia, who have also lost skipper Pat Cummins to injury, in disarray given that the two men have combined for 31 wickets in five tests at Perth Stadium, which is always conducive to pace and bounce.

Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will now have to shoulder a heavy workload, while South Australia's Brendan Doggett is in line for his international debut.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Michael Neser, who last played a test in 2022, was promoted into Australia's squad.

England's exploits at the riverside Lilac Hill in Perth's outer suburbs were viewed by only a few hundred onlookers despite free entry.

While it was an oddity in the modern era for a full-strength draw card such as England to play with such muted fanfare, it also suited the humble park venue framed by district matches on neighbouring pitches.

It was a far cry from the ground's heyday, however, when 11,000 fans would pack temporary grandstands to watch annual festival games involving touring teams and a local side infused with retired greats. 

Anderson backs Australia 

James Anderson believes England head into the Ashes as underdogs despite agreeing with former new-ball partner Stuart Broad that Australia are at their "weakest" for the last 15 years.

Broad, now making a career as a television pundit, reckons the current Australia side is their worst since the 2010/11 series which England won 3-1.

That was England's last Ashes series success in Australia and their recent record 'Down Under' is woeful, with 13 defeats and two draws in 15 Tests.

But they have fresh hope ahead of next week's series opener in Perth, with Australia captain and key paceman Pat Cummins sidelined by injury and doubts surrounding the hosts' top-order batting.

Anderson, whose 704 Test wickets make him England's leading bowler in the format, told TNT Sports:

"Australia have been so strong and so consistent in their team selection over the last 10 years, that this probably is their weakest team (in the last 15 years).

"There are doubts around who's going to bat in the top three, Pat Cummins missing is huge. There are question marks there, definitely, and there are cracks that England could potentially expose. There's a great chance for England to get on top early."

But paceman Anderson, effectively forced into Test retirement by England management last year although he's still playing for county side Lancashire, said: "I don't think England are quite favourites, I'd say Australia are still favourites, in Australia.

"There's still a lot of quality in their batting line-up, there's still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing."

Anderson, a central figure in England's 2010/11 triumph, with 24 wickets at an average of 26.04, added: "So

I think they probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don't think there's much in it. It's a tough one to call, so I'd say Australia, just."