Kasprowicz takes five in rain-hit draw

Australians 406 for 9 dec and 161 for 2 (Ponting 59*, Clarke 59) drew with Worcestershire 187 (Moore 69, Kasprowicz 5-67)
Scorecard

Mike Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie blew Worcestershire away, Kasprowicz taking five wickets © Getty Images Enlarge

Rain put paid to any serious chance of a result on the final day of the three-day match between Worcestershire and Australia at New Road. But Australia got a decent work out ahead of the second Test which starts at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Today it was mainly the turn of Australia's bowlers to make the most of the practice - the batsmen did get another go later on - after Ricky Ponting declared on their overnight total of 406 for 9. Australia made short work of skittling Worcestershire for 187 on a docile pitch, Michael Kasprowicz making his presence felt for the home side and Australia's selectors with 5 for 67. It is unlikely to matter too much as his rival Jason Gillespie also bowled creditably, and ended with 2 for 15 from 12 overs.

Shaun Tait and Stuart MacGill were also in the wickets, with Tait removing the openers Stephen Peters and Stephen Moore. But for a stand of 85 between Moore and Vikram Solanki for the fourth wicket, the home side would have been in even more trouble.

Ponting and Michael Clarke were promoted up the order to open the second innings after moderate showings in the first. Clarke improved on his 9 with a quick 59 and Ponting also profited with a half-century. Brad Hodge, sticking at No. 3, made 21 before he was bowled by Zander de Bruyn, the only Worcestershire bowler to have any success as the match petered out to an inevitable draw.