Jaques plunders English attack

England’s underwhelming preparation for the much hyped Ashes series this summer has continued, with New South Wales and Phil Jaques taking it up to their highly fancied opponents on the opening day of the three-day tour match at the SCG.

Jaques, 27, plundered the English attack for the second match in succession, having struck a ton against the Prime Ministers XI last Friday, adding to his run glut with another century, on this occasion 107 runs streaming from his bat at a steady pace.

Statements for inclusion on the first XI to take on England in the First Ashes Test, starting next Thursday week, do not come any stronger than Jaques’ in recent times, with the ever durable Justin Langer perhaps feeling the heat of the Jaques kitchen, as competition hots up.

That said, it is unlikely that the selectors will opt for a different opening pair, given the excellent record Langer and partner Matthew Hayden have written since coming together on the English tour of 2001.

Having won the toss, Blues captain Simon Katich had no hesitation in opting to bat, and his decision was vindicated when his side left the field at stumps sitting pretty at 5-325.

Although they lost opener Ed Cowan for 26, bowled by Steve Harmison, Jaques and Katich set about building a hefty total, taking the score up to 193 before the former was dismissed for 107, caught in the deep off the bowling of spinner Ashley Giles, who is on the rebound from a back related layoff.

Not to be outdone, Katich and fellow Australian batsman Michael Clarke continued the attack on the English bowlers who set in motion their demotion from the Test side last winter. The skipper fell, again to Giles, for a tidy 68.

James Anderson struck five overs later when he send Aaron O’Brien on his way for six, but it proved only short term relief, as Clarke continued to push the score up to and above the 300 mark, before he fell victim to the spinning fingers of English cult figure Monty Panesar, his offering made light work of by the sure hands of Marcus Trescothick.

A glimpse into a potentially bright future was offered by all-rounder Moises Henriques (25 not out), who teamed with Daniel Smith (36 not out).

Giles proved the best of the English bowlers in snaring 2-46 off his 15 overs, whilst speed quarter Hoggard, Flintoff, Anderson and Harmison continued to find their feet on Australian soil.

Play recommences tomorrow morning from 10:30am, with the home sides bowling pack containing the aces, in Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken, Stuart MacGill and Nathan Hauritz, who will all gain their first looks at the English this summer.

New South Wales - first innings:
P JAQUES c Harmison b Giles 107
E COWAN b Harmison 26
S KATICH c Pietersen b Giles 68
M CLARKE c Trescothick b Panesar 50
A O'BRIEN c Trescothick b Anderson 6
D SMITH not out 36
M HENRIQUES not out 25

Extras (1lb, 4nb, 2wd) 7
Total: 5 wts for 325

Fall: 1-38, 2-193, 3-216, 4-224, 5-289.

Bowling: M Hoggard 12-2-51-0, S Harmison 15-1-76-1 (1nb, 2wd), J Anderson 15-3-45-1, A Flintoff 15-4-52-0 (3nb), M Panesar 18-2-54-1, A Giles 15-3-46-2

Batting time: - minutes. Overs: 90

Toss: New South Wales
Umpires: R Goodger and D Orchard.
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Summary: Day One

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