Friday 18 December 2015 12:13, UK
James Taylor has warned England they cannot allow another batting collapse to mar their preparation for the Test series against South Africa.
England drew their first three-day tour match against an Invitational XI after a thunderstorm brought an early conclusion to the match and denied their seamers a second workout in Potchefstroom.
Having dominated the first two days, England resumed the day on 99-3 before losing seven wickets for 91 runs before lunch, with seamer Junior Dala doing the damage with four wickets to finish with 5-34.
Taylor, who made 114 in the first innings, knows there must be no repeat against a strong opposition in the second tour match in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
"It's definitely a habit we need to get out of, you don't want to get into those habits of losing clumps of wickets and in the past that has happened," said the Nottinghamshire batsman.
"We're disappointed with how many wickets we lost in that first session but it happens, especially early in a tour, and it's a good thing for us to learn from - as long as we are learning from it and don't keep making those mistakes.
"The intensity is going to get ramped up in the next game against South Africa A, which is going to be a good challenge.
"But whatever opposition you're playing you don't want those collapses and for whatever reason it happened we've got to focus as a batting unit for that not to happen on this trip."
James Anderson and Mark Footitt had each sent down just one over at the start of the afternoon session when the crack of thunder alerted groundstaff to an imminent downpour and sent the players scurrying before lightning, heavy rain and hail stones pummelled the ground.
With no further play possible, some of the England bowling attack missed out on a valuable workout.
Anderson bowled just five overs in the match, though at 33 he is happy to work a reduced schedule before Tests, while new-ball partner Stuart Broad managed only 37 balls.
Both are assured of their places in the series opener in Durban on Boxing Day, which left the greater frustration with the uncapped Footitt and Chris Woakes, who are both hopeful of claiming the third seamer's spot.
Footitt took three wickets to Woakes' one but was significantly more expensive and his non-appearance with the bat during England's second innings may suggest the left-armer's prospects of a debut are receding.
England face South Africa A in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, when Steven Finn could come into contention if passed fit.
