England's Cook, Trott score freely in tour game

Skipper Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott were in the runs in England's final Ashes warm-up game against a Cricket Australia Invitational XI in Sydney on Thursday, after opener Michael Carberry fell early. The pair had combined in an unbroken 128-run stand as England reached tea at 147 for one in reply to the Invitational side's first innings 304 a week out from the first Ashes Test against Australia. Cook, who scored 154 in the rain-hit tour match against Australia A in Hobart last week, carried on his form with an unbeaten 63 off 108 balls with Trott 77 not out off 93 balls. Carberry was the only wicket to fall for the tourists, out for four following his knock of 153 in Hobart. Carberry, who is expected to open the England innings with Cook in next week's first Ashes Test in Brisbane, was caught behind by Peter Nevill for four off paceman Josh Lalor. But Cook and Trott faced little threat from the Invitational XI bowlers on a placid pitch and were shaping for big scores. Steve Finn earlier took five wickets to push his Ashes Test claims as England mopped up the Invitational XI's first innings. The tall Middlesex paceman captured five for 103 as the tourists dismissed the Invitational side for 304 off 103.4 overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Finn boosted his chances of taking the third seamer's spot for England, alongside Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, for next week's Ashes opener with three wickets on the second morning. After struggling on the first day, Finn got things right against the tail in a smoother performance. The Invitational side, resuming at 271 for five, lost Ryan Carters on the first ball of the day for 94, edging Broad to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. Broad finished with four wickets for 37, an ideal lead-up to the opening Test for the fast bowler. Source: AFP