Swann Shines as England Draw

East London: Off-spinner Graeme Swann took six wickets before England's two-day tour match against a South African Invitation XI ended in a draw at Buffalo Park on Thursday.

After a rain-hit opening day, the tourists batted until mid-afternoon before declaring on 329 for eight. The Invitation team made 167 for seven in reply as Swann took six for 55.

Opening batsman Alastair Cook added 15 runs to his overnight score before he was out for 81.

The best England batting on the day came from Ian Bell and Matt Prior, who made 48 and 44 respectively in a sixth wicket stand of 83 before they both retired at the lunch break.

Swann hit an aggressive 39 not out off 31 balls before the declaration.

Graeme Onions claimed an early wicket for England in what was the only success for a depleted England pace attack.

After a second wicket stand of 42, Swann took the first of six wickets in a row for the tourists, including a burst of three wickets in four balls, starting with top-scorer Sammy-Joe Avontuur, who was stumped for 68.

James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom, who missed the match because of knee and side injuries respectively, are expected to play in a second two-day match against the same opponents starting on Friday in an effort to prove their fitness ahead of the first Test against South Africa which starts in Centurion on Wednesday.

Brief scores
England XI: 328 for 8 dec (Cook 81, Bell 48, Prior 44)
South African Invitational XI: 167 for 7 (Avontuur 68, Swann 6-55)
Results: Draw

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

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