England's Woeful Form Continues

On the second day of their match at the Bellerive Oval, England were outclassed by the next generation of Australian cricketers as they attempted to rebuild their spirits following last weekend's 384-run defeat in the first Test at the Gabba.

Resuming on 50 for one and looking to their batsmen to make amends for a woeful bowling display which allowed Australia A to declare on 353 for three, they were instead dismissed for 183 with their last five wickets falling for 61 runs.

After following on 170 runs adrift, the tourists then lost openers Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick - the captain for the second time in the day - before Mark Butcher followed.

Butcher's dismissal came just as England seemed set to provide some belated resistance as they reached 96 for three.

Hopes of atoning for a poor England bowling performance were undermined from the start with Trescothick, filling in for Nasser Hussain while he visits his pregnant wife in Perth, falling to the 10th ball of the day when he edged Brad Williams behind to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

From there England mimicked their Brisbane collapse - when they lost seven wickets for 46 to be dismissed for 79 - and this time it needed a 42-run eighth wicket partnership between John Crawley and Alex Tudor to take England within reach of the follow on target of 204.

Frustrated by the accuracy and stamina of Ashley Noffke, who bowled unchanged for 16 overs and claimed impressive figures of two for 22, it allowed Williams to clean up at the other end to finish with five for 52 including the last three England wickets.

With their confidence shattered by the events of the last week, England were once again looking for a solid start but were denied that with Trescothick bowled by Noffke playing around a full-length delivery, and Vaughan followed soon after as he got an inside edge onto his stumps attempting a front-foot drive.

Butcher and Robert Key at least provided hope the tourists could survive until the close with a determined 46-run partnership spanning 15 overs as the A team's attack began to tire after a full day in the field.

But Butcher lost his concentration and slashed wildly outside off stump facing the part-time medium pace of Greg Blewett and edged behind to Haddin.