Woakes’ spell puts England on top

Adelaide, November 10

Paceman Chris Woakes claimed four wickets as England roared back to the verge of victory against Cricket Australia XI after the third day of the four Day-Night tour match. The tourists scrambled to 203 in their second innings on the back of Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten 61 off 66 balls, leaving CA XI 268 runs to win. 

Warwickshire’s Woakes led a spirited England fightback, capturing 4/17 off 10 overs to leave the CA XI innings in tatters. The tourists tried to wrap up the victory by opting for an extra 30 minutes of play but were thwarted by Matt Short (28*) and Gurinder Sandhu (17*) as the duo stoof firm and saw off the day at 70/7. 

Brief Scores: England 293 and 203 (Bairstow 61, Stoneman 51; Milenko 5/34); Cricket Australia XI: 233/9 decl and 70/7 (Woakes 4/17) 

Anderson vice-captain

England pacer James Anderson was named as vice-captain on Friday, replacing Ben Stokes who is suspended and under investigation over a nightclub brawl. Anderson, 35, who has 506 Test wickets, was promoted as understudy to captain Joe Root ahead of fellow paceman Stuart Broad and ex-skipper Alastair Cook.

Injury wrecks Nathan’s Ashes chances

Sydney: Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile will take a “short break” after suffering a fresh back problem, Cricket Australia said today, ruling him out of the coming Ashes series. Coulter-Nile, 30, has a history of spinal stress fractures and the latest setback appears to end his chances of being a back-up to Australia’s pace trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. — Agencies