Tredwell features as England win one-day warm-up match

An economical spell of spin bowling from Kent“s James Tredwell (pictured) helped England complete a comfortable seven-wicket victory over a Prime Minister“s XI in their one-day warm-up game.

The off-spinner returned figures of 1-45, from his eight overs, to help restrict the hosts to 254 for nine from 43 overs, in a rain-affected match at Canberra. It was then left to opener Ian Bell to smash a sparkling unbeaten 124 to guide the tourists to their Duckworth-Lewis target of 225 from 35 overs.

The PM“s XI got off to a brisk start in setting a target as openers Tim Paine (50) and Usman Khawaja (22) put on 75 for the first wicket, inside 13 overs, before Tredwell pounced to make the breakthrough. Coming around the wicket to Khawaja, the off-spinner tossed the ball up invitingly and, beaten in the flight, the batsman could only offer a return catch.

A lot of the home batsmen made starts but England took wickets at crucial times. Tredwell“s spin-twin Michael Yardy excelled, taking 3-33, while quick bowler Ajmal Shahzad also weighed in with a trio of dismissals, despite conceding 61 from his nine overs. Alongside Paine“s fifty, Dan Christian was the only man to make a significant contribution. His run-a-ball 53 helped the PM“s XI up to a competitive total.

England were extremely efficient in their run-chase, led my Bell who converted his fine Test match form into the limited overs game. Firstly he added a quick fire 82 with Steve Davies (24) for the opening wicket before finding an ally in Jonathan Trott (48) as the pair smashed 98 in 16 overs to set up the win. Kevin Pietersen fell for 13, trapped in front by Brett Lee, but Bell guided England home. His 124 came off just 102 balls, including 13 fours and a maximum. The seven wicket win came with nine balls remaining as England looked in polished form ahead of their first T20 clash with Australia, in Adelaide, on Wednesday.