Hussey Ton Helps Australia Recover Against Lions

Michael Hussey remained unbeaten on 143.

Worcester: Michael Hussey scored his first century in nine months on Wednesday and helped Australia recover to 337-8 against England Lions on the first day of the tourists' final warm-up match before next week's Ashes series.

Hussey was unbeaten at stumps on 143, while number eight batsman and fellow left-hander Mitchell Johnson was out in the final hour for 47 after combining in a vital seventh-wicket partnership of 109 after Australia's batting was rocked.

Australia crashed from 165 for two to 197 for six as they lost four wickets for 32 runs. Hussey, who has faced 221 balls and hit 18 fours, rescued his side with his first century in any form of cricket since making a Test hundred in October.

Prior to the collapse, Hussey steered Australia out of trouble when they slumped to 24 for two, adding 141 for the third wicket with opener Simon Katich, who made 95.

Hussey's unspectacular but steady innings was largely trouble-free though he was dropped by Sajid Mahmood off his own bowling when on 75.

Pace bowlers Steve Harmison (3-67) and Tim Bresnan (3-46), seeking to impress the national selectors, shared six wickets as Australia got off to a difficult start on a slow pitch.

Opener Phillip Hughes, who had been struck on the bicep from a rising Harmison delivery, was dismissed for seven when he gloved another Harmison short ball to gully.

Captain Ricky Ponting edged Graham Onions to first slip for one, trying to force the ball through the covers off the back foot.

Katich and Hussey dominated before and after lunch. But Katich

All-rounder Marcus North (1) lasted just five balls before he deflected a short ball from Onions onto his stumps. Brad Haddin was lbw to Bresnan (7), who angled the ball back in towards his leg stump.

Johnson faced 78 deliveries and played with typical aggression. He cut and straight drove Adil Rashid for consecutive fours as he warmed up, before playing a slog-sweep for six against the 21-year-old leg-spinner to close on his half-century.

Johnson eventually edged a Bresnan bouncer to wicketkeeper Steve Davies, before Brett Lee was bowled by a slow Harmison, yorker.

Australia selected fast bowlers Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Johnson as they continued to finalise their team plans for the first Test against England at Cardiff on July 8.

Brief Score: Australians 337 for 8 (Hussey 143*, Katich 95) v England Lions.