SYDNEY (AP) England polished off its preparation for next week's first Ashes test against Australia by completing a seven-wicket win over a Cricket Australia Invitation XI on Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Opener Michael Carberry made 50 and Jonathan Trott (38 not out) and Ian Bell (33 not out) shared an unbroken 50-run stand as the tourists defied a rain delay to reach their winning target of 148 in 38.4 overs.
Though the Invitation XI was another of the relatively weak local lineups England has faced in its leadup to the first test at Brisbane from next Thursday, the tourists achieved most of their objectives for the match.
Key batsmen had time at the crease while Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin gave test selectors options for the third seamer's role.
Meanwhile, Australia all-rounder Shane Watson seems unlikely to bowl in the first test as he continues a comeback from a series of injuries.