MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – England’s Ashes hopefuls Tim Bresnan, Chris Tremlett and Ajmal Shahzad failed to press their cases as the tourists dropped five catches on the opening day of their three-day match against Victoria yesterday.
Bresnan removed opener Ryan Carters with his second delivery for his lone wicket, while Tremlett and Shahzad toiled without success at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
One of the three bowlers will replace the injured Stuart Broad in the English attack for the third test against Australia at Perth next week.
For Victoria, who opted to bat first and declared on 216 for two wickets 14 overs before stumps, Michael Hill struck an unbeaten 105, punishing England’s sloppiness as he was dropped four times.
Matt Prior, who was relieved of his wicket-keeping duties, dropped the left-hander twice, including in the very first ball Hill faced from Tremlett.
David Hussey also got a reprieve to remain unbeaten on 67.
England lost Alastair Cook (27), who made Victoria pacer Jayde Herrick remove his headband, before reaching 50 at stumps with captain Andrew Strauss (17) and Ian Bell (6) in the middle.
