IAN Bell’s near-perfect 192 ensured England a position of dominance as they sought to complete their preparations for the first Ashes Test with a final warm-up victory over Australia A in Hobart. Bell’s 275-ball tour de force included 22 fours and a six, expert timing, placement and precious few mistakes as England recorded a total of 523 all out midway through the third day.
With a 293-run lead in the bag, England began the task of bowling the tourists to victory on a Bellerive Oval wicket that was showing only a few signs of wear going into the final day.
Tim Bresnan led that charge with the first three wickets, including Ashes hopefuls Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson, to leave Australia A 128 for three at the close.
Bresnan was slightly lucky to remove Ed Cowan, who dragged a cramped pull shot onto his stumps, before almost certainly ending Khawaja’s first Test hopes when he feathered the next ball through to Matt Prior.
And he did for another Australian Ashes aspirant when Ferguson stayed back and was bowled off-stump by another delivery which did just enough and meant three wickets had fallen for 18 runs.
Phil Hughes (58 not out) and Cameron White (22no) settled matters to guide the home side through to the close.
Earlier, Bell dominated a sixth-wicket stand of 240 with Paul Collingwood (89). He appeared entirely in control throughout – and with 198 already in his and Collingwood’s joint account at start of play on the penultimate morning, the continuation was seamless.
There was no hint of a wicket until Clint McKay decided to alter his length to Collingwood and immediately got him in a tangle with the Durham batsman eventually producing a front-footed pull that ended only in an edge behind.
After a breezy 27, Matt Prior also went in disappointing fashion when he aimed a big hit over the top at Steve Smith and miscued to be caught at point. (PA Sport)