Australia win tour match win against Essex at Chelmsford

Australia took five wickets in 18 overs to beat Essex by 169 runs at Chelmsford in their second tour match.

The touring bowlers will be encouraged by the way they performed on the afternoon of the final day in their last outing before next week's first Investec Ashes Test, with Josh Hazlewood (4-42) in destructive form and Mitchell Starc returning match figures of 9-77.

Finding bowlers in form has become even more of a priority for Australia following the retirement of Ryan Harris due to injury and they performed well at Chelmsford, where only nine home players batted on Saturday due to the injuries to Tom Westley and Nick Browne.

Australia had resumed on Saturday morning at 212-8, a lead of 360, following 77 from captain Michael Clarke on Friday and Essex soon dismissed tail-ender Peter Siddle for 19, bowled by Jamie Porter.

Australia were all out for 221 when Porter collected his third wicket of the innings as Nathan Lyon was caught by Ryan ten Doeschate for a second-ball duck, leaving Hazlewood unbeaten on 12.

Essex returned to the crease needing 370 to win, but neither Browne (finger) or first-innings centurion Westley (ribs) were able to bat.

Makeshift opener Jesse Ryder soon set about the Australia attack, as Hazlewood was smashed for 26 off his first over.

Hazlewood enjoyed better success when he trapped Jaik Mickleburgh (four) leg before wicket.

Essex were soon 43-2 when Starc removed Ryder's middle stump. The New Zealander made 37 from just 19 balls, with seven fours and a six.

Captain Ravi Bopara, who scored 107 in the first innings, helped Essex move on to 81 without further loss by lunch.

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The home side had reached 140 when the England all-rounder was trapped lbw for 42 by Starc on the bowler's return to the attack at the River Stand end in the 31st over.

Ten Doeschate continued to lead the resistance, passing his 50 in 78 balls, with seven boundaries and a six.

James Foster, promoted to No 5 because of the injuries, lasted 12 balls before he was out for a duck, caught low at second slip by Clarke off Starc.

Essex then found themselves 166-5 when Matt Salisbury (eight) edged Hazlewood behind.

After Ten Doeschate was out lbw for 61 to Hazlewood (4-42), Porter followed next ball, and the hosts were on the brink at 174-7.

Thomas Moore bludgeoned a huge six up into the radio commentary box before Aron Nijjar holed out to Chris Rogers off Lyon, the spinners' first wicket of the match.

Essex ended their innings on 200-8, with Moore unbeaten on 16.

Watch every ball of the first Investec Test live on our dedicated channel, Sky Sports Ashes, from 10am on Wednesday.