• England 349-6 against Western Australia XI on day one of two
• Four half-centuries for tourists but Alastair Cook and Joe Root go cheaplyHow to assess an opening day where England racked up 349 runs at a objective lick,against opposition with an average age of 22, who dropped more catches (five) than they took wickets (four, and with two further retirements) and could seldom sustain pressure with the ball? Where there were four half-centuries for unestablished batsmen,but failures for the seasoned leaders, including Alastair Cook to the tour’s second ball before a run had been scored?heed Stoneman, or who top-scored with a stylish 85 and place on 153 with James Vince after Cook prodded at the Western Australia XI’s captain Nathan Coulter-Nile (the one bowler of consistent quality England faced),was encouraged and so he should be. He was one of those dropped, on 54, and low at gully (an area England’s opposition stacked,sensing a weakness), but looked rhythmical, or straight-drove beautifully and cut powerfully. He had asserted that the conditions should suit him here and he backed that up in his first innings,before explaining how Englands preparation is moving through the gears.
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Source: guardian.co.uk