North keeps up attack

Australia set the England Lions an unlikely 445 for victory after Marcus North and Michael Hussey humiliated a weary attack in the four-day tour match at Worcester on Saturday night.

The Lions have only 60 overs to overhaul the target after the tourists declared during the lunch interval after reaching 4-438.

Led by North, who finished unbeaten on 191, the Australians crashed 162 runs during the first session.

Of small concern for Australia was an ankle injury to Michael Hussey which forced him to retire hurt on 62. Andrew McDonald will be Hussey's substitute in the field.

Hussey batted for nearly an hour and a half on the fourth morning before heading to the dressing room to have his left ankle iced after being hit during the warm-up.

The left-hander was not in doubt for the first Test starting in Cardiff next Wednesday, team management said.

Starved of runs in his first three innings of the tour, North gorged on the spin of Adil Rashid and part-timers Joe Denly and Vikram Solanki.

He made the hosts pay a heavy toll for the life gifted to him on 120 by Steve Harmison, who put down a return chance.

His highlight was a slog sweep six which threatened the windows of the New Road merchandise shop.

After batting himself into form earlier in the game, Hussey found plenty of cheap runs.

With far less pressure on his shoulders than he carried in the first innings, Hussey outpaced North, scoring at nearly a run a ball.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who has not enjoyed his best game with bat or gloves, was also a benefactor of the Lions' charitable bowling, making a brisk 25 not out.

Australia 1st innings 358

England Lions 1st innings 352

Australia 2nd innings
Hughes c Morgan b Harmison 8
Katich c Moore b Rashid 37
Ponting c Rashid b Harmison 15
North not out 191
Clarke c Onions b Solanki 80
Hussey retired hurt 62
Haddin not out 25
Extras: 20 (11b, 8lb, 1nb)
Total: 438 (4 wickets declared, 103 overs)

FOW: 1-17, 2-41, 3-90, 4-260

Bowling
Onions 19 - 2 - 73 - 0
Harmison 17 - 3 - 55 - 2
Mahmood 18 - 2 - 56 - 0 (1nb)
Bresnan 18 - 5 - 60 - 0
Rashid 22 - 2 - 109 - 1
Solanki 5 - 0 - 32 - 1
Denly 4 - 0 - 33 - 0