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WORCESTER, Aug 1: Australia warmed up for the second Test with England in impressive fashion despite declining the chance to force victory in their tour game with Worcestershire on Monday. The tourists bowled out their hosts for 187 in 44 overs at New Road despite the absence of the rested Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne but took the opportunity for further batting practice rather than enforcing the follow-on, meaning the match ended in a draw.
Jason Gillespie, who is likely to retain his place for the second Test starting at Edgbaston on Thursday, was able to put in a spell of 12 overs which brought him figures of two for 45 even though it was Michael Kasprowicz (five for 67) who did most of the damage.
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting could have enforced the follow-on with Worcestershire 219 in arrears and still a possible 51 overs remaining. However, they chose to bat again and were 161 for two at the end of the match having declared their first innings at 406 for nine.
Michael Clarke took advantage with a 44-ball half-century and Ponting, although clearly not at his most fluent, dug in to make a fighting 50.
SUMMARISED SCORES:
AUSTRALIA 406-9 declared (B.J. Haddin 94, M.L. Hayden 79, J.L. Langer 54, J.N. Gillespie 53 not out) and 161-2 (R.T. Ponting 59 not out, M.J. Clarke 59); WORCESTERSHIRE 187 (S.C. Moore 69; M.S. Kasprowicz 5-67).—AFP
