England make poor start to Ashes tour

CANBERRA: England made a poor start to their opening Ashes tour match in Australia on Friday when they conceded 347 runs from just 50 overs against the Prime Minister's XI.   

The PM's XI made up of fringe test players and up and coming youngsters, capitalised on England's wayward bowling to pile on 347 for five on a sunny day at Manuka Oval.   

Opener Phil Jaques smashed 112 at better than a run a ball to get the innings off to a flying start before Shaun Marsh, the son of former test batsman Geoff, blazed an unbeaten 79 at the end to ensure his team reached an imposing total.   

England's bowlers were heavily punished after they struggled to maintain their line and length and were let down by some sloppy fielding, which included a dropped catch off Jacques when he was on 21.   

The only encouraging signs were the performances of Andrew Flintoff and Ashley Giles, who have both recently returned from injury.   

Flintoff was the pick of the English bowlers, claiming an early breakthrough when he dismissed Tim Paine, before an untidy last over that cost 16 runs saw his final figures blow out to 1-55 off 10 overs.   

Giles also picked up a wicket in his eight overs. He went for 53 runs while Sajid Mahmood conceded 97 from his nine overs.   

Friday's match is the first of just three warm-up games England have before the first Ashes test starts in Brisbane on November 23rd. The tourists are also scheduled to play three-day matches against New South Wales and South Australia.