High: 23°C | Low: 11°C		Wind: W at 7 km/h, Humidity: 55%
Match	Prime Minister's XI v England	-	Date	10th November, 2006
Match Type	One Day - Tour Warm Up	-	Umpires	WF Ruse and RJ Tucker
Toss	England	-	Decision	Field
Result	P Minister's XI won by 166 Runs	-	Venue	Manuka Oval, Canberra - Card

They say that old habits die hard and despite a superb flying one handed catch to dismiss Paine (6) in the 4th over, Geraint Jones dropped Phil Jaques when the batsman was on just 21 runs. Jaques(112) who is pressing for a place in the Australia squad made the most of the wicket keepers error as he made a superlative century on the opening day of England's tour. Scoring at a run a ball Jaques was keenly supported by Cosgrove (24) and Birt(40).

The first wicket of the tour fell to non other than Freddie Flintoff who bowled a good line and length early on and at a decent pace, often tempting the batsmen into uncertain strokes. The less said about Sajid Mahmood the better as the England paceman struggled throughout his spells leaking runs at over eight an over. His sole bright spot came when a well disguised slower ball accounted for Birt's wicket, just as the batsman was breaking the shackles.

England's fielding looked sloppy throughout and the touring side had no excuse following the recent run out at the ICC Tournament in India a little over a week ago. On a number of occasions runs were given away either through poor returns or lack of backing up at the bowlers end, errors that will have to be rectified before the first Test in two weeks time.

Despite taking Jaques' wicket, Collingwood looked to bowl far too many slower deliveries and became predictable. Voges and Marsh, son of Rodney, applied the pressure with strong attacking running between the wickets and good placement, scoring at a run a ball the partnership threatened to take the game away from a tired looking England. Flintoff came through his 10 overs unscathed and despite going for 21 in his last two overs, he remained England's bright spot of the Prime Minister's XI. England's decision to play two spinners and ask only three from Panesar remains a mystery.

Flintoff's decision to bowl on a superb wicket remains a mystery as did some of his on field tactics. Mahmood was hammered and ended up conceding 97 runs off nine overs. The Prime Minister's XI closed the innings on 5 for 347 and only time will tell if England can get back into the game with the bat. Marsh remained un-defeated on 78 off just 56 balls.

England failed to challenge the healthy total posted by the Prime Minister's XI and the 6.98 runs per over required at the start of the innings proved to big a task. Trescothick fell to Tait at the end of the first over, well caught at at second slip by all rounder Cameron White for just two runs. Only Strauss showed any form mustering a reasonable 67. He shared an 83 run partnership with Collingwood (35) for the third wicket before Collingwood fell to Cameron White who couldn't stay out of the match if he tried. Strauss, Pietersen and Flintoff all fell within the space of five runs ending any slim hopes England had to win the game.

It was left to the lower order to take the attack to the home side with Mahmood the only player to hit a six in the entire innings. Mahmood tried to make up for a substandard effort with the ball but as with his team mates failed miserably. It was a disappointing performance by England and yet another one day defeat. Only time will tell if they can step up again State opposition in the three day form ahead of the Brisbane Test.

image courtesy of BBC