ENGLAND’S second-string seamers provided reassurance they will be ready for an Ashes call-up should it arrive after they combined to bowl out Australia A for 230 on the opening day of their final warm-up match in Hobart.
With the first-choice bowlers flying out to Brisbane in preparation for the first Test next week, Ajmal Shahzad, Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan impressed in their first match on tour after Andrew Strauss opted to bowl on a spicy Bellerive Oval track.
That decision was quickly proved correct as Australia A were reduced to 66 for five before lunch with Tremlett and Bresnan sharing two wickets apiece.
Shahzad was arguably the pick of the bowlers, however, claiming the key wickets of Ashes hopefuls Usman Khawaja and latterly Steve Smith, who led a tail-end recovery, in figures of three for 57.
But with Tremlett also praiseworthy in returning four for 54 and Bresnan chipping in with two for 65, England’s apparent first-choice seamers – who left the ground during the evening session to catch a late flight to Queensland – will know they have strong competition for their places.
The only downside of the day was skipper Strauss falling in the seven-over period England faced before the close, although Alastair Cook remained alongside nightwatchman  Monty Panesar to see the tourists to the close at 22 for one. (PA Sport)