An England A side full of Ashes aspirants has suffered a seven-wicket loss in Brisbane, where opener Tim Ward humbled the touring attack.
Ward, whose status as a player of interest among national selectors was rubber stamped with Wednesday’s Australia A call-up, finished 115 not out as the hosts hauled in a target of 261 at Ian Healy Oval.
Former Test batter Handscomb, who was overlooked for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, scored 57 on day three of the four-day contest to help lift the Cricket Australia XI to victory.
Ward has been signed by Hobart Hurricanes as an injury replacement player, having struck a century for Tasmania in the state’s final game before the mid-season Sheffield Shield break.
Ward completed his century with three sixes and six fours, retiring on 115 when rain interrupted play with the home side requiring a further seven runs.
Offspinner Shoaib Bashir, who has played 15 Tests for England, logged match figures of 1-91 from 21 overs.
John Turner, a 23-year-old paceman who has represented England in one-day and T20 cricket, also failed to shift momentum during Ward’s knock.
England are using the tour as a chance to give young and inexperienced players some exposure in Australian conditions ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes.
Rocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son of iconic allrounder Andrew, scored 19 and four in his first match of the tour.
The England Lions have another match against a CA XI in Brisbane before facing an Australia A squad, featuring the likes of Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe and Brendan Doggett, in Sydney.
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