England begin Ashes warm-up with promising batting display

England 349-6 (Stoneman 85) v Cricket Australia XI
Tour game, Perth, day one

England warmed up for the upcoming Ashes series with a solid batting display against Cricket Australia XI on day one of the tour game in Perth with four of their batsmen going past the 50-run mark to take the total to 349 for six at stumps.

England won the toss and decided to bat first. As a decisive blow, Alastair Cook (0) was dismissed by Nathan Coulter-Nile (1-43) in the second ball of the innings. However, Mark Stoneman (85) and James Vince (82) looked at ease and with their attacking strokeplay provided a solid platform for England.

The visitors ended the first session with a score of 131 for one in 31 overs with both the batsmen well past their respective half-century.

After the restart, Stoneman smashed three more boundaries to continue the onslaught but eventually fell in the 37th over bowled by Lance Morris (1-65). A double strike from Aaron Hardie (2-46) saw the back of Vince and skipper Joe Root (9) as England slipped to 184 for four.

Dawid Malan (56 retired out) and Gary Ballance (51 retired out) continued from where Vince and Stoneman left as the duo added 104 run stand between them for the fifth wicket.

Both the players decided to retire out on reaching their respective half-centuries but Jonny Bairstow (36 not out) and Chris Woakes (25 not out) ensured England reached 349 for six in the 91 overs of play possible on day one.

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