Australia 'A' v England XI
Bellerive Oval, Hobart
15,16,17 November 2002 (3-day match)

Umpires : RL Parry and JH Smeaton

Match Report - Day 1

If England hadn't seen that much of Aussie Martin Love before the current Ashes tour, one thing is for sure; they've seen enough to know that he is a class act.

Love scored his second double century against a poor England bowling attack in as many games and in so doing, put Australia A in a commanding position at the Bellerive Oval.

England would have been forgiven in thinking their luck was about to change when Alex Tudor retired opener Matthew Elliot with a sharply rising first ball. The delivery hit Elliot on his right elbow and the Australia A batsman went to the nearby hospital for an x-ray.

Trescothick's decision to put Australia A into bat seemed to be paying off. Tudor, bowling in his first match of the tour accounted for former Glamorgan player Jimmy Maher (6) after he nicked a quick delivery to Foster behind the stumps.

However, the England bowlers struggled after their initial breakthrough and Love set about building up his impressive portfolio against England. Aided by Greg Blewett and much fancied Michael Clarke the runs flowed at an impressive run rate.

Flintoff was expensive, conceding 61 runs in only 10 overs before he left the field for treatment on his groin. His chances of taking part in the Ashes series are now rather slim to say the least.

When Australia A declared at 3/353 in only 75 overs, Love was unbeaten on 201.

In reply, England lost opener Michael Vaughan to quickie Brad Williams for eight runs leaving the tourists at 1/50 at the close.

Match Report - Day 2

England are reeling in the Tasmanian sun on the second day of their tour match against Australia A after being asked to follow on.

Once again they collapsed and if nothing else, they are showing signs of consistency on this tour, Brad Williams taking five wickets doing the most damage. With the last five wickets falling for only 61 runs, England are in serious need of a boost before the second test in Adelaide.

Trescothick, giving Brad Williams his second wicket of the innings, didn't last long when he was caught by Haddin for only five runs.

Butcher (42) and Key (36), two players that have showed signs of form on this tour, steadied the rotting ship with a partnership of 34 before Clark and Love combined to move Butcher.

It was all down hill from then on, Key and Flintoff went within one run of each other, Noffke picking up his first wicket of the game, Clark his second dismissing the injured Flintoff.

Of the lower order, only Tudor showed any signs of resistance with a dogged 12 runs before he became Williams's third victim, and the first of three leg-before decision he took with the tail.

Once again it was left to John Crawley to attempt to hold the innings together, but even with his 43, he failed to do anything about the batsmen at the other end.

With England forced to follow on, three wickets fell in their fight for survival and more importantly. Trescothick, Vaughan and Butcher will remain in the dressing room on the third and final day tomorrow, forced with the reality that they really are second best to a second string Australia A side.

Australia A have not lost a tour match in the last 12 years and of their wins, all have been big and decisive wins, this match looks like joining those positive figures tomorrow.

Match Report - Day 3

A drawn game in Hobart but honours definitely not even. Robert Key was the main man for England, however his magnificent century is unlikely to be enough to dislodge the middle order unless injuries prevail.

Crawley and Key hit an unbroken stand of 176 before the former picked up a hip injury and cast doubt on his fitness for Thursday's Test match. The Englishman was hit shortly before tea by fast bowler Brad Williams and was forced to have a runner in Michael Vaughan. He did not return after the interval and retired hurt on 55.

Key has looked in great form during the tour and struck 15 fours in his long stint at the crease. It was an important draw for England who were looking desperately down the barrel of a gun and could not afford to loose against Australia A.

Nathan Hauritz was the pick of the bowlers for Australia A in the second innings bowling 40 overs and conceding only 75 runs. The spinner took the two wickets to fall in the day , Flintoff and White the victims.

Despite the draw and moral victory after two days of toil, there is still a major doubt on England's true potential against Australia for the second Test in Adelaide, scene of the infamous bodyline series 70 years ago. England could well do with a Jardine and Larwood right now.

images courtesy of BBC