| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Hohart: Ian Bell sounded an ominous Ashes warning for Australia with a dominant century on a rain-affected second day in Hobart. Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook also looked in promising touch and posted half-centuries against an Australia A attack that included the Test squad member Steven Smith, who took the brunt of Bell's aggression and finished with 0 for 57 from ten overs.
Kevin Pietersen went cheaply. At close day two, England were 335 for five with Paul Collingwood on 74 and Ian Bell 121 not out.
Australia A, featuring the cream of the country's young talent, struck a big morale blow to the tourists ahead of next week's Ashes opener in Brisbane with the prized wicket of Pietersen.
Pietersen, who averages 50.73 in Ashes Tests against Australia, lost some valuable batting time ahead of the first Test only lasting 22 balls.
Alastair Cook scored 60 off 109 balls before he got a leading edge to O'Keefe in the 38th over and was taken by Clint McKay at deep mid-on after putting on 87 runs for the third wicket with Jonathan Trott.
Trott fell in the 41st over for 41 when he got a leading edge while attempting to pull paceman Mark Cameron, and Usman Khawaja took an excellent running catch at mid-off.
Play was frequently interrupted by showers and only 7.2 overs were bowled in the morning session.
McKay claimed the wicket of nightwatchman Monty Panesar, who top-edged a pull shot to Cameron at deep backward square for 13.
Brief scores
Australia A 230
England XI 335 for 5 (Bell 121*, Collingwood 74*)
Status England XI lead by 105 runs
