Steve Smith hits ton as England set 298 to win by Australia in warm-up match
Concern for England as Mark Wood leaves the field after pulling up in his run-up
Saturday 25 May 2019 18:47, UK
Steve Smith looks in fine form ahead of the World Cup after hitting a 94-ball century as Australia set England 298 to win their warm-up match in Southampton.
In his first innings against England since returning from his 12-month ban for his part in the ball-tampering scandal, Smith (116 from 102 balls) was quickly into his stride and went on to reach his hundred, greeted by boos from the home fans, in the 48th over before he was controversially given out caught and bowled by Tom Curran in the final over.
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David Warner looked slightly less assured at the start of his innings but made 43 before he was dismissed by Liam Plunkett (4-69), while Usman Khawaja (31) and Alex Carey (30 from 14 balls) also made useful contributions as Australia posted 297-9.
While England will feel that chasing 298 is well within their capabilities, they suffered a setback early on when Mark Wood (1-19) was forced off the field after pulling up as he ran in to bowl, apparently suffering soreness in his left leg while Liam Dawson split his finger fielding later in the innings and will not bat.
The injury scares come the day after Eoin Morgan fractured his finger in fielding practice although the captain is expected to be fit to play in the World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday.
England kept Australia tied down early on, with Wood having Aaron Finch (14) caught at mid-on before he went off and Plunkett then accounting for Warner and Shaun Marsh (30).
Smith and Khawaja added 79 for the fourth wicket before a moment of madness from the latter resulted in him being stumped off the bowling of Liam Dawson.
Marcus Stoinis (13) was then run out after a mix up with Smith but the former Australia captain more than made up for it as he powered on in the final 10 overs, carving the ball incredibly over backward point for six to go to 99 before nudging a single to reach three figures.
Carey produced an excellent cameo before he was caught off Plunkett, who then bowled Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Smith went in the last over, given out caught and bowled by the third umpire despite the replays appearing to show that it was a bump-ball and Adam Zampa (1) was run out off the final delivery.
