The Ashes: Ollie Pope makes a century in the warm-up but Joe Root and Harry Brook miss out

Ollie Pope made a century as the majority of England’s senior players spent valuable time in the middle in the Ashes warm-up match, although Joe Root and Harry Brook missed what would be the final innings before the first Test.

Ben Duckett made 92 and Zac Crawley made 82 in an opening stand of 182, while Pope and skipper Ben Stokes shared 137 runs for the fifth wicket on the second day of three in Perth.

Between the two great partnerships, England lost four wickets for 16 runs – Root and Brook both out in soft fashion.

Much of the talk in the Australian media has focused on Root’s lack of a Test century in this country and his preparation was curtailed when he hooked Matthew Potts at mid-wicket for a single.

Brooke’s innings were terrible, and she showed disdain for this type of exercise. In his first 15 deliveries, Brook danced twice to the seamers and tried to get a T20-style scoop. From the 16th over, Brook again took the lead at leg-spinner Nathan Gilchrist and finished outside leg when the ball hit. He’s been out for two years.

Pope took his chance with a 100, securing his place in the team for the first Test against Australia on 21 November.

Stokes was similarly patient at 84, gradually finding a rhythm to his batting after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury.

The action became more relaxed late in the day and England used 12 batsmen – Brydon Carse the extra man after he missed the first day through illness.

England were bowled out for 426 in reply to the Lions’ 375 – a total corrected by the scorers from the original figure of 382 posted on the first day.

Mark Wood was at Lilac Hill and his left hamstring, which had suffered tightness on Opening Day, was tight. England is awaiting the results of the test conducted on Friday afternoon.