Fleming presses his Test claim as Australia win again

Damien Fleming completed match-figures of 8-97 as Australia completed a 176-run victory over Somerset in the Vodafone Challenge Match at Taunton.

The pace bowler pressed his Test Match claims with 2-38 from 19 overs on an unhelpful pitch to help dismiss the county for 240 as they chased an unlikely 417 to win.

Fleming is now expected to challenge Brett Lee for his place in the Second Test at Lord's, starting on Thursday, particularly as Lee is nursing a slight rib problem.

Michael Slater (wrist) and Matthew Hayden (knee) were unable to bat or field on the final two days against Somerset, but both are hoping to be fit to face England.

Mike Burns and Matthew Wood hit half-centuries to hold up the Aussies, but two collapses, the second of which saw the last four wickets tumble for 12 runs meant the match was over by 3pm.

Somerset had resumed their second innings on 52-1 and looked to have some hope when Burns and Aamir Sohail took the total to 93.

But after Sohail fell for 36 to a sharp catch by Ricky Ponting at silly point, Fleming quickly sent back Burns (59) and Keith Parsons, both lbw, beaten for pace by full-length deliveries.

Wood produced the innings of the day, reaching his fifty off just 47 balls, with nine fours. But when the 20-year-old rookie fell lbw to Colin Miller for 51 soon after lunch Somerset's last hope had gone.

Peter Bowler, coming in at number seven after suffering some back spasms, kept an end up with 26 not out, receiving some support from Ian Blackwell, who made 28.

But the tail capitulated to the occasional left-arm spin of Simon Katich, who wrapped up Australia's comfortable win with a career-best 3-21 from four overs.

Afterwards, Australian captain for the game, Ricky Ponting, admitted that Fleming had forced himself into contention for a Test place, particularly with Lee not fully fit.

"Damien bowled superbly on what was a totally unhelpful pitch offering no movement off the seam.

"We'll be giving Brett [Lee] as much time as possible to get fit for Lord's and I reckon he will be OK by Thursday. But Damien has certainly given our selectors something to think about."

Concerning Slater, Ponting commented: "Michael just didn't want to risk falling on his wrist. It was a precaution more than anything."

Lee bowled in the nets after the game, and looked to be in no discomfort but Hayden did appear to be struggling in the morning warm-up.