Practice Match: Eng vs Wales

England have gained a solid victory over Wales in the traditional practice match, with Michael Vaughan's captaincy career off to a winning start in Cardiff.

Vaughan won the toss and elected for his side to have a bat, with Marcus Trescothick being joined by Vikram Solanki as his opening partner.

Trescothick made an impressive 55 as honorary Welshman Michael Kasprowicz tore the heart out of the English middle order, taking 3 wickets including captain Vaughan for 2.

Solid lower order resistance from Anthony McGrath (50) and 46 from Rikki Clarke allowed England to creep to 235 for 8 from their 50 overs.

For Wales, Kasprowicz took 3/39, Robert Croft 2/44 with Steffan Jones and David Harrison taking 1 wicket each.

Wales then stumbled in their run chase, with Robert Croft's 59 being the only score above 40.

For England, Kabir Ali took 2/31 and Ashley Giles 2/39 to be the pick of the bowlers figure wise. James Anderson, Darren Gough and Vaughan himself took a wicket each as they gained victory by 8 runs.

Scores

England 235/8 (M Trescothick 55, A McGrath 50, R Clarke 46, M Kasprowicz 3/39)

Wales 227 (R Croft 59, K Ali 2/31)

England won by 8 runs.

Cricket Web Player-of-the-Match: Robert Croft (Wales).

Posted by Andre