Result: ACB Chairman's XI won by 58 runs - Match Report

Toss: England

Umpires: B Bennett and AR Craig

Match Report

The highly awaited tour to Australia started today and England are up to their old tricks again after suffering a 58-run defeat, this time going down to the ACB Chairman's XI for the first time in the traditional opener to the Ashes series at Lilac Hill.

The home side consisting of part timers, a window cleaner and two player just shy of 50 years made 301 for seven, the highest-ever total in this annual fixture against Australia's tourists, England managed just 243 before being bowled out.

Trescothick and Butcher found themselves back in the dressing room within three overs, England at that point were two down for only 11 runs. England captain Nasser Hussain (65) joined Kent's Robert Key (68) to add 135 runs in 21 overs and settle the side's early tour nerves. However, any thoughts England had of winning the game soon evaporated in the Perth heat after the tourists lost both Key and Hussain within four overs of each other.

Alec Stewart looked comfortable for his 35 runs, yet again showing that he can still cut it as an England player. There were no other main contributors to the innings and England lost their final five wickets for only 35 runs. Home boy Brad Hogg returned the best bowling figures with his 5 wicket haul, conceding just 33 runs in the process.

England looked rusty, the bowlers were wayward and short, the fielders were slow and cumbersome, dropping three chances in the innings. Steve Harmison on his first senior tour to Australia let the occasion get the better of him, bowling 16 wides in his seven overs, eight of them in one over that lasted 14 balls. Caddick and Hoggard, first choice Test players also struggled to find accuracy, often bowling short on a dusty and bouncy pitch.

England's inability to find early form helped the Chairman XI to post the highest ever total for this traditional tour opener in Australia. Hussey (69) and Harvey (114) led the way with a 152 run sixth-wicket partnership, providing great entertainment for the 10,000 capacity crowd. Ashley Giles steadied England with three wickets as the Chairman's XI slipped to 122 for five.

"It is not the end of the world losing to a president's XI or whatever, but we do need to get our players fit," Hussain said.

One thing that is certain, England have a long way to go if they are to challenge Australia in two-weeks time.