England beats Invitation XI by 7 wickets

SYDNEY (AP) England polished off its preparation for next week's first Ashes test against Australia by completing a seven-wicket win over a Cricket Australia Invitation XI on Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Opener Michael Carberry made 50 and Jonathan Trott (38 not out) and Ian Bell (33 not out) shared an unbroken 50-run stand as the tourists defied a rain delay to reach their winning target of 148 in 38.4 overs.

Though the Invitation XI was another of the relatively weak local lineups England has faced in its leadup to the first test at Brisbane from next Thursday, the tourists achieved most of their objectives for the match.

Key batsmen had time at the crease while Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin gave test selectors options for the third seamer's role.

Meanwhile, Australia all-rounder Shane Watson seems unlikely to bowl in the first test as he continues a comeback from a series of injuries.

Watson completed light running drills and then a long net batting session as he trained with the Australia team in Brisbane on Saturday. He would be guided by the team doctor on whether he would be fit to bowl at the Gabba.

"I am confident I will be there as a batsman," Watson said. "To play as a bowler would be an ideal scenario. From previous experiences I will err on the side of caution."

Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott seemed doubtful Watson would be fit to bowl.

"We will wait until the day before the game to see where (Watson) is with his bowling," McDermott said. "But he hasn't bowled so far. To rip him straight into a test match would be pretty difficult at this stage."

McDermott hinted that the left-armer Mitchell Johnson, who has struggled in the past to combine pace with control, might be handed the new ball in Brisbane.

"There's a good chance he will if he can use it from a swing perspective," he said.

"Going away to the left-handers he will be tough to play. I like where Mitchell is at at the moment from an attitude or head space point of view and his pace and seam position."

McDermott described the attack of Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle as "formidable."

"I back their ability to knock anyone over," he said. "(Harris) is probably statistically the best performing bowler in Australian history.

"(Siddle) is in the top five in the world. You don't get there by bowling rubbish. And this is the best Mitchell has been bowling in a long time - and fast."

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