England 259-5 (Morgan 81no) beat
Cricket Australia XI 258-9 (Dean 62) by five wickets
Tour game, Drummoyne Oval, Sydney

Adil Rashid troubled the middle order with a three-wicket haul while skipper Eoin Morgan scored a fluent unbeaten 81 run knock as England went on to beat Cricket Australia XI by five wickets in the tour game in Sydney.

The team was boosted by the limited overs experts, who were free from the scar of losing the Ashes series 0-4 to Australia and it did have an impact on the game.

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It was Cricket Australia XI, who won the toss and decided to bat first. Matt Renshaw (25) and Travis Dean (62) without much trouble took the home side to 49 runs in the first 10 overs with Chris Woakes (0-46) and Mark Wook (0-68) struggling to find a breakthrough.

Liam Plunkett (2-52) provided respite for England as he opened his spell with a wicket maiden that saw the back of Renshaw but he was taken to the cleaners by Jake Carder (16) after he smashed him for a six and a four in his next over.

Rashid (3-45) created impact straightaway as he had Carder caught in his first over and soon Moeen Ali (2-28) had Dean back in the dressing room. With Morgan and Jos Buttler teaming up to run out, Jake Doran (16), Cricket Australia XI were positioned 133 for four in 30 overs.

It was Mackenzie Harvey (59) and wicket-keeper Harry Nielsen (40), who provided some respite for the hosts as they recovered briefly to post 258 for nine in the 50 overs. For England, Rashid had three while Moeen and Plunkett picked two apiece.

In the chase, Jason Roy (40) and Jonny Bairstow (36) provided a solid start of 74 runs off 76 deliveries. After a cautious approach in the first overs, the duo stepped up gears as they went on to post 60 for naught in the first powerplay.

Daniel Fallins (2-56) provided the first breakthrough when he had Bairstow dismissed and soon Roy also followed him with Ben Pengelley (1-49) being the wicket-taker.

The innings was carry forwarded by Alex Hales (51) and skipper Morgan (81 not out), who put them on the course of win with a 66 run stand for the third wicket. Even though, Hales, who makes his first comeback following a suspension fell on reaching his fifty, Morgan saw the team through the chase.

Cricket Australia XI had something to celebrate when Gabe Bell (2-35) removed both Jos Buttler (28) and Moeen (1) in quick succession but England reached the target in 40.5 overs with five wickets in hand.

© Cricket World 2018