Cricket: England crush Australia A

England warmed up for Thursday's first Ashes cricket test in Brisbane with a 10-wicket win over Australia A on the final day of their tour match in Hobart today.

Australia A managed 301 in their second-innings to leave England a victory target of just nine runs at Bellerive Oval, which they achieved from only 1.3 overs as they reached 0-11 shortly after tea.

Young all-rounder Steve Smith had little time to celebrate being named in Australia's 13-man Ashes squad on Saturday, making an embarrassing first-ball duck.

But former Test players Phil Hughes (81) and Cameron White (111 including 13 boundaries) showed their class as the home side were overwhelmed by England's second-string bowling attack.

Australia A resumed on Saturday at 3-128 and with high hopes of putting together a competitive total with Hughes and White at the crease.

However paceman Chris Tremlett (3-67) took three wickets in eight balls to leave Australia A in a precarious position.

The two-metre tall Tremlett removed former Test opener Hughes at 4-185 and in his next over claimed Tim Paine lbw for two and Smith in successive deliveries.

The 21-year-old Smith damaged his slim selection hopes by letting the first ball go as it crashed into his stumps.

Hughes was out caught at first slip off a cut shot, after hitting 11 boundaries from 183 balls.

Left out of Australia's initial 17-man Ashes squad on Monday, Hughes was determined to get a big score to kick-start his season.

But the seven-Test opener fell 19 runs short of a century that would have helped keep his name in front of selectors' eyes for the Test summer ahead.

Back-up spinner Monty Panesar (3-63) went through the tail, dismissing Steve O'Keefe for 27 then taking the prize wicket of White caught behind at 8-276.

Tim Brensnan claimed No.11 Peter George to finish with 4-86.

- AAP