England struggle in final warm-up

The tourists traditionally field as close a line-up as possible to their Test side in the final warm-up match on tour, but England coach Peter Moores has insisted they are still to finalise their line-up after watching a nearly full-strength side get dismissed for a lowly 131 in seamer-friendly conditions by a strong Select XI.

"I thought Steve bowled better but he still wouldn't be where he wants to be yet," conceded Moores. "At the moment he's not had that much bowling."

England's batting display was all the more infuriating for Moores when he watched England's own attack once again fail to exploit those same conditions, with both Harmison and Test rival Chris Tremlett mis-firing as the Select XI established a 46-run lead by reaching 177 for four on the opening day of the three-day game.

It was a desperately disappointing day for the tourists, who had hoped all their key players would gain useful match practice before they complete their final preparations for the Test.

Tremlett finished with one for 50 from his 13 overs and at least showed some early aggression by hitting opener Matthew Bell in the midriff with a sharply-lifting delivery with the new ball.

But Harmison continues to struggle and although he only delivered one wide, rarely had the opposition's top order hopping around after claiming one for 59 from his 12 overs.

"The plan here was the Test match guys came out 10 days before we finished the one-day series. Steve was booked on a flight but unfortunately he had problems with the birth so it was overdue and he got five days rather than 10, so he's five days behind everyone else," continued Moores.

"The challenge now is for him to come through this game, do the best he can and put himself in the hat for selection. Steve's had a challenging 12 months and I think he'd admit that.

"We're very conscious that he needed bowling outside and unfortunately we've missed a bit of that. He's bowled here but he's not yet hitting his straps and that hopefully will come."