Poms Start, A Shocker

Phil Jaques smashed England all over Manuka Oval today, scoring a sparkling century for the Prime Minister's XI.

It helped to construct a massive defeat of the tourists in their first game in Australia for there defence of the Ashes.

England lost by 166 runs after Jaques cracked 112 off 110 balls to push the PM's XI to a record score of 5-347. Western Australian Shaun Marsh also made runs smashing Englands bowlers to all parts of the ground finishing on 78 not out off just 54 balls.

Shaun Tait and his fellow bowlers, including skipper Cameron White, then dismantled England's batting line-up for less than 200, Monty Panesar the last man out as England collapsed to a woeful 188 all out.

Tait took 3-21 in eight overs of fearsome pace, including the wicket of England captain Andrew Flintoff, whom he clean bowled for one. Kevin Pietersen, England's other middle-order tyro, also went cheaply for seven when he tried to pull a short ball from Ben Hilfenhaus, but only skied it to offer wicketkeeper Tim Paine for a simple catch.

"We're not going to get too despondent about it," Flintoff said of the poor performance.

"We know we have to improve and we'll do that before the first Test in Brisbane.

"We've still got talented players and we've got to express ourselves in the weeks to come."

England now take on New South Wales on Sunday in a three day tour match before also taking on South Australia later in the week. In a blow for the New South Welshmen however they will be without wicketkeeper, Brad Haddin and allrounder Dominic Thornely after both suffering injuries. Haddin hurt his hand while Thornely has injured an arm.

Gloveman Daniel Smith comes into the squad for Haddin while all rounder Aaron O'Brien replaces Thornely.

The Blues are still going to field an impressive line-up, including Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill, Michael Clarke, Phil Jaques, Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken.

Meanwhile in other Ashes news the umpires have been named for the Ashes series with Billy Bowden, Steve Bucknor, Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar announced to officiate the upcoming series starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on November the 23rd.

New Zealander Bowden and West Indian Bucknor the on-field umpires for the opening test, at the Gabba. Bucknor and South African Koertzen will officiate the following Test in Adelaide. Koertzen and Pakistani Dar will look after the next two Tests in Perth and Melbourne while Bowden and Dar will be in charge for the Sydney Test.

Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Referees will be the match referee for the opening three Tests with Roshan Mahanama the man for the job in the fourth and fifth Tests.

The countdown is on and we are now just 13 days away from that opening ball being balled. Be sure to check SportsAustralia.com for all the latest from the ashes and the continued countdown.

Umpires for the 2006/07 Ashes Test Series:

November 23, Brisbane: Jeff Crowe (Referee), Billy Bowden and Steve Bucknor
December 1, Adelaide: Jeff Crowe (Referee), Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen
December 14, Perth: Jeff Crowe (Referee), Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar
December 26, Melbourne: Ranjan Madugalle (Referee), Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar
January 2, Sydney: Ranjan Madugalle (Referee), Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar

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