England Lifted by 172-run Win Over PM XI

Canberra: England's bowlers ripped through the Australian Prime Minister's XI for a morale-boosting 172-run victory on Tuesday.

Chasing 265 to win in the Australian capital, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals to be all out for 92 in the 26th over.

Ravi Bopara grabbed four wickets for three runs to wrap up the win.

Veteran Brad Hodge top-scored for the PM's XI with 28.

Earlier, England made 8 for 264 off 50 overs in the day-night match at the Manuka Oval.

Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bat but captain Lee knocked him over for just one, edging a full length ball to the wicketkeeper.

And the 37-year-old, who has vowed to extend England's summer of misery, then had Joe Root lbw to leave England on two for 12 runs in the day-night 50-over game.

The thermometer topped 37 Centigrade at the Manuka Oval in the Australian capital, but it did not stop Lee from returning figures of two wickets for 22 runs off seven overs, including a maiden.

England began to rally from another disastrous start when Lee went off after a four-over burst and finally set the PM's XI a target of 265 after registering a run rate of 5.28.

Opener Michael Carberry found some form in his 47 off 50 balls, including five boundaries, before skying Ben Cutting to Lee.

But it was big-hitting Jos Buttler batting at number seven who top-scored for the tourists with 61.

He was clean bowled by Jackson Bird just when England badly needed their danger man for the final overs.

Coming in at four, Gary Balance clipped a decent 56 off 71 balls but was caught at point off spinner James Muirhead, who snared three for 52.

Eoin Morgan had looked to leave a ripper from Muirhead that took big spin from outside off, leaving England on four for 98.

Ravi Bopara wasted no time and made 18 off 17 balls but an attempted drive off Muirhad flew head height to Michael Spaseki in the slips.

Bresnan made 36 useful runs before the McDermott brothers combined with Ben taking the catch off Alister's bowling.

Brief scores
England XI 8 for 264 (Buttler 61, Muirhead 3-52)
Prime Minister's XI 92 (Bopara 4-3)
ResultEngland XI won by 172 runs
MOM Jos Buttler (England XI)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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