England on a roll ahead of Ashes opener with 10 wicket drubbing of Australia A

MELBOURNE - England got a perfect boost for the first Test when they beat Australia A at the Bellerive Oval.

England needed just nine runs in their second innings and surged to a 10 wicket win after running through Australia A’s lower order.

It took England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook just nine balls to bring up the victory, The Herald Sun reports.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Monty Panesar (3-63) triggered the collapse by having Stephen O’Keefe (27) caught at mid-off to end a 78-run partnership with captain Cameron White.

White’s superb century came to an end soon after for 111 when an edge to an attempted sweep shot off Panesar was well taken by wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

It gives England two wins and a draw from their three warm up games, and no injuries and no real form worries ahead of the first Test at the Gabba starting on Thursday. (ANI)