Alice Springs (Australia), Nov 30 (IANS): The two-day Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI-England XI tour match ended in a draw here with the latter’s Gary Ballance named Player of the Match at Traeger Park here Saturday.
The hosts resumed at 16/0 with Steve Cazzulino (48) and Marcus Harris (49) at the crease after England declared at 212/7 Friday. The opening duo built a 78-run partnership before Harris was caught out by Steve Finn off the bowling of Graeme Swann (4/56).
Swann proved dangerous throughout the innings, also picking up the wickets of Michael Hill (13), Alexander Keath (4) and Jake Doran (17). Josh Lalor (45) and Ashton Turner (39 not out) steadied the innings late in the afternoon as they built a 64-run partnership before Lalor was caught off the bowling of Monty Panesar (3/41).
James Muirhead (29) added a quick-fire 29 which included five fours and pushed his side past England’s first innings total before the Chairman’s XI side declared their innings at 254/8.
England faced 16 overs before the match came to a close, finishing at 47/1 with Joe Root (1) the only batsman to lose his wicket to fast bowler Simon Mackin (1/3).
The second Ashes Test will start Dec 5 at the Adelaide Oval. Australia lead the series 1-0.