✦
England beat Western Australia by 92 runs in their tour match at the WACA in Perth on Saturday, making a winning start to their Ashes preparations. The tourists were too strong for the state side, with their bowlers sealing the win after a solid batting display.
England made 251 in their innings, with Ben Duckett top-scoring with 59 from 66 balls. Liam Dawson added an unbeaten 44 down the order, while Western Australia's bowlers shared the wickets, with Couch taking four for 47 and Morris three for 29.
Western Australia were bowled out for 159 in reply, with Wasley top-scoring with 41. Adil Rashid took four for 35 and Jofra Archer three for 34 as England's attack proved too strong for the home side at the WACA.
The match was played in front of a crowd of 5,055 at the WACA, and there was a memorable moment when captain Harry Brook hit a ball into the ground's outdoor pool. Head coach Brendon McCullum described the win as a scrappy one, but he will have been pleased to see his side get over the line.
The victory gives England a positive start to their tour ahead of the Ashes series. They will take confidence from the performance of their bowlers, who shared the wickets around and bowled with good pace and control throughout the match. The tour match was an important part of England's preparations for the Ashes, giving the players a chance to spend time in the middle and adjust to Australian conditions. The WACA has a reputation for pace and bounce, and the England bowlers will have been pleased with how they adapted. Brook's moment of hitting a ball into the outdoor pool provided a light-hearted highlight, but the serious business was getting overs into the bowlers' legs. With the first Test approaching, England will be keen to build on this win and arrive at the series in the best possible shape. The tourists have a strong squad, and this was a solid first step on the road to the Ashes.
Source: ESPNcricinfo
