Lions put Australia through their paces

Australia (337-8) vs England Lions. England's back-up fast bowlers put the Australian tourists through their paces in their final warm-up game before the Ashes yesterday, with Steve Harmison and Tim Bresnan both taking three wickets at Worcester.

The tourists were reliant on big innings from Simon Katich (95) and Mike Hussey (143 not out, his 50th first class century) after top order batsmen Philip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Marcus North all fell for single figures.

Harmison finished the day with 3-67 and Bresnan with 3-46 as the Lions bowlers fought for the attention of the England selectors ahead of next week's Ashes opener in Cardiff.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Mike Selvey, the Guardian: "It was Steve Harmison, a man not forgotten but ignored by the England hierarchy whose patience had been exhausted by inconsistency, who caught the eye. His selection looked more a case of trying to throw a spanner into the Australian works and see what sort of damage he might do. What he managed, even for one who has frustrated so often, is hard to ignore. The right Harmison turned up at New Road. In 2005 he had begun the series by pummelling Justin Langer. In 2006-7 he had begun by threatening his best mate at second slip. Yesterday, he concocted an amalgam of the two, his first ball short, quickish if not warp speed, and so misjudged by Phil Hughes that it clattered off his helmet and looped into the slips. It was a message of intent."

Derek Pringle, Daily Telegraph: "Hussey has spent 2009 out of form but not out of favour. Opting to rest at home rather than pocket the riches from the Indian Premier League, he has returned to duty refreshed, something evident in his energetic batting against an England Lions bowling attack which, unlike the steamy weather at New Road, blew hot and cold. Arriving at the crease after the departure of his captain Ricky Ponting for one, Hussey began by supporting Simon Katich, who looked equally at home on the slow surface. But whereas Katich failed by five runs to reach his hundred, his flat hook off Harmison well caught by Graham Onions at fine leg after lunch, Hussey took out a short-term lease, finishing the day unbeaten on 143."

Mike Atherton, the Times: "While conditions were benign rather than Colosseum-like, England's eager Lions were anything but. There were Australians to devour and Ashes places at stake and the four-pronged pace attack was keen to show its claws. Bresnan was the most successful, Harmison and Graham Onions were the most impressive and Mahmood the least effective. Adil Rashid did not bowl as badly as his figures suggest, neutered by the slowness of the pitch. This match represented Harmison's last opportunity to push his claims for a fourth Ashes series and his opening spell did not disappoint. He bowled quickly and straight: Hughes took a blow on the helmet, Ponting one on a shoulder and for a short while it was as if the ghost of 2005 had invaded the fast bowler's body again."