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Trevor Bayliss content with Ashes preparations despite England's draw with CA XI

By PA Sport

Sunday 19 November 2017 17:32, UK

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Mason Crane (3rd left) of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Jason Sangha of CA XI during day 4 of the fou
Image: England took just one wicket on the final day of their warm-up match against Cricket Australia

England managed a solitary wicket all day in their final match action before the Ashes, but still earned the praise of coach Trevor Bayliss.

Rookie batsmen Jason Sangha (133) and his Cricket Australia XI captain Matt Short (134 not out) shut England out for 75 overs in all, putting on a remarkable 263 together, as the inexperienced hosts racked up 364-4 on a flat pitch.

Joe Root's attack had no answer and only mustered one wicket with 18-year-old Sangha caught sweeping off off the bowling of Mason Crane.

However, reflecting on the stalemate at the Tony Ireland Stadium and England's other warm-up matches, Bayliss pronounced himself satisfied with England's build-up to the first Test, which gets underway at the Gabba next Thursday.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Joe Root of England walks from the field at the end of day 4 of the four day tour match between Cricket Australia XI
Image: Joe Root's side drew their final warm-up match before the Ashes gets underway next Thursday

"Over the three games we have got about as much as we possibly could," he said.

"Today wasn't the perfect game of cricket for us. But it's time in the dirt, and we will probably have another one or two of them in the Test matches.

"It was probably good to experience it, and the heat as well.

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"We are always a bit disappointed when we don't take 10 for 90," he added. "But the wicket was very flat, and those two young guys batted very well. If you play cricket long enough those days will happen. They stuck at it, and that's all you can ask.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Short of CA XI celebrates after reaching a century with Jason Sangha of CA XI on day 4 of the four day tour matc
Image: Matt Short (R) celebrates after reaching a century with Jason Sangha (L)

"Over the three games, we started slow, then built it up over the last couple of games," he added. "A Test match, an Ashes Test, will see our intensity rise as high as it possibly can."

After Craig Overton's travails in Townsville, where he recorded match figures of 2-97 and registered his third successive duck on tour, fit-again Jake Ball appears to have moved back ahead of him as England's probable fourth seamer at the Gabba.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Craig Overton of England looks on during day 4 of the four day tour match between Cricket Australia XI and England at
Image: Craig Overton took 2-97 in the match

"I thought Ball was our best bowler in Perth, and he started off that way again in Adelaide too," Bayliss said.

"He's fine now, bowled yesterday, got through a few spells in the nets today - and now he's bowling again [in middle practice after the early close].

"He should be fit and raring to go."

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Jake Ball of England looks on during day 4 of the four day tour match between Cricket Australia XI and England at Ton
Image: Jake Ball will be fit for the first Test, according to Trevor Bayliss

Whoever gets the nod next week, Bayliss is promising England's approach will be a positive one.

"Australia ... like to hit the opposition hard early," he added. "We have been talking about going hard ourselves - we are not here to make up the numbers, we are here to win. We're very confident."

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