Ollie Pope made a century as the majority of England’s top order spent valuable time in the middle in their Ashes warm-up game, though Joe Root and Harry Brook missed out in what might be their final innings before the first Test.
Ben Duckett made 92 and Zak Crawley 82 in an opening stand of 182, while Pope and captain Ben Stokes shared 137 for the fifth wicket on the second day of three in Perth.
In between the two sizable partnerships, England lost four wickets for 16 runs – both Root and Brook out in soft fashion.
Much talk in the Australian media has centred on Root’s lack of a Test century in this country and his preparations were curtailed when he hooked Matthew Potts to mid-wicket for one.
Brook’s innings was awful, showing disdain for this kind of exercise. In his first 15 deliveries, Brook twice danced down to the seamers and attempted a T20-style scoop. From his 16th, Brook again advanced at paceman Nathan Gilchrist and ended outside leg stump as the ball hit off. He was out for two.
Pope took his chance with a measured 100, securing his place in the team for the first Test against Australia on 21 November.
Stokes was similarly patient for his 77, gradually finding a rhythm to his batting after almost four months out with a shoulder injury.
England were bowled out for 426 in response to the Lions’ 375 – a total corrected by the scorers from the original 382 posted on day one.
Mark Wood was at Lilac Hill with the left hamstring that suffered tightness on the opening day heavily strapped. England are awaiting the results of a scan that took place on Friday afternoon.
“It was nice to spend some time in the middle, quite a few of the boys got runs there, so I’m pleased with the day,” Crawley told Test Match Special.
“We’re doing everything we can with what we’ve got and we’re going to be ready next week.”
