England paceman Chris Woakes claimed six wickets and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow had an injury scare as a Cricket Australia XI reached 249 for nine at the close on the opening day of their four-day tour match in here yesterday. The fast bowler finished the day with six for 54 in the final warm-up game before next week's Ashes series opener in Brisbane. The tourists didn't help their cause by spilling three catches as CA XI skipper Matt Short top-scored with 51. England had an early injury scare when 'keeper Bairstow was forced off the field for an hour after getting hit on a finger.

England's paceman Chris Woakes celebrates the wicket of Cricket Australia XI batsman Nick Larkin after being caught by James Vince on the first day of a four-day Ashes tour match at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville on November 15, 2017. Pic/AFP