Cricket: England overcome Academy

THE LANCASHIRE left-hander Neil Fairbrother led the way as England's one-day team beat the Queensland Academy of Sport by 44 runs in a rain- shortened practice match in Brisbane yesterday.

Fairbrother hit 68 from 75 balls with four boundaries and two sixes in an England total of 214 for 6 from 38 overs.

The openers Nick Knight (48) and Vince Wells (31) made sound contributions for England, who then bowled economically to keep the Queenslanders at bay. The tourists managed to restrict the home team to 170 for 7.

England's joint spin attack of Robert Croft and Ashley Giles were the pick of the bowlers, Croft finishing with 2 for 24 and Giles taking 2 for 23 from their five overs each. Martin Love was the top scorer for Queensland with an unbeaten 67, but the Academy fell well short of the required target.

ONE-DAY MATCH (Brisbane): England XI 214 for 6 (38 overs; N H Fairbrother 68, N V Knight 48, V J Wells 31); Queensland Academy XI 170 for 7 (38 overs; M L Love 67no; R D B Croft 2-24, A F Giles 2-23). England won by 44 runs.