Cook ton as England dominate

The English batsmen gained some much-needed confidence in their warm-up game against Western Australia as they eased to 356-5.

WA resumed their innings at 307-8, with Luke Pomersbach at the crease on 90. The young batsman took little time to reach three figures, facing 139 balls and hitting 12 fours and a two sixes on the way. WA captain Marcus North immediately declared with the total on 322-8.

The England openers began slowly, taking only 15 runs off the first eight overs of the innings. However, both Strauss and Cook gradually found their feet and proceeded to hit the WA bowlers all around the park. Their stand reached 183 when when Aaron Heal broke through to remove Strauss. Geraint Jones was sent in at three, but was gone first ball to leave Heal on a hat trick.

Ed Joyce was the next man in, and he negotiated the hat-trick ball safely. Joyce and Cook continued with ease as Cook brought up his hundred before tea. He soon retired out to bring Chris Read to the crease. Read looked comfortable in his stay while Joyce batted aggressively to make 73 off 97 balls. Ashley Giles was sent in next, but his stay was short as he was caught off the bowling of Edmondson for only four.

This allowed Sajid Mahmood to join Read. Although Mahmood is better know for his bowling, he displayed significant batting prowess to remain unbeaten on 20. Read chalked up a half-century at the other end to finish on 59 not-out as the match was drawn.

Western Australia 322-8d
Luke Pomersbach 101*, Chris Rogers 66, Shaun Marsh 59
James Anderson 3-53, Sajid Mahmood 2-67

England XI 356-5
Alistair Cook 106, Andrew Strauss 88, Ed Joyce 73, Chris Read 59*
Aaron Heal 2-61