Blunt England face stiff challenge in Ashes tour opener

England's batsmen face a daunting task in the opening match of their Ashes tour after the Western Australia Chairman's XI piled up 451 for five declared. At lunch on the second day England were 18-0 in reply, against what is effectively a second-string state team made up of fringe first-class players, with Joe Root unbeaten on 12 and Michael Carberry three not out. WA resumed on 369-4 and lost just one more wicket in the morning session, with Steven Finn (1-123) finally claiming his first scalp of the match. Every WA batsman reached 50 apart from Tom Triffitt, who was unbeaten on 18. Chris Lynn top-scored with 104. England's fringe pacemen failed to impress, with Boyd Rankin (1-92) and Finn claiming a single wicket each, while Chris Tremlett finished with 0-88. England are missing several key players for the three-day match, including captain Alastair Cook, who has a sore back, and Kevin Pietersen. Fast bowler Stuart Broad and spinner Graeme Swann were rested. Source: AFP