Strauss, Cook and Pietersen lift England

Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen made fluent half-centuries to lift England to 256 for four at the close on the second day of the tour match against New South Wales yesterday. Replying to the hosts' 355 for nine declared, England...

Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen made fluent half-centuries to lift England to 256 for four at the close on the second day of the tour match against New South Wales yesterday.

Replying to the hosts' 355 for nine declared, England overcame the early loss of Marcus Trescothick to enjoy some much-needed batting practice with the start of the first Ashes test just 10 days away.

Strauss made 50, Cook 59, Pietersen 80 not out and captain Andrew Flintoff an unbeaten 48, with Trescothick (eight) and Ian Bell (nought) the only batsmen to miss out.

Earlier, New South Wales declared their first innings on 355 for nine after resuming on 325 for five. They lost Moises Henriques, lbw to Steve Harmison, before rain forced the players off the field for a couple of hours.

When they returned, England captured three more wickets before New South Wales captain Simon Katich declared.

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