Shane Watson Questions Alastair Cook While Mitchell Marsh Hits Out

Shane Watson has questioned whether Alastair Cook, England's Test captain, is capable of getting his team to reproduce the bold attacking style that so captured the public's imagination during the one-day series against New Zealand. (Shane Watson's Last Stand)

The positive approach that secured a 3-2 win against the World Cup finalists is a hallmark of Trevor Bayliss, England's new Australian coach, and there is a hope it can be continued once the Ashes begin in Cardiff next Wednesday. However, the change of on-field leadership from limited-overs captain, Eoin Morgan, to the more conservative Cook means that transition cannot be guaranteed. (Mitch Marsh Strengthens Ashes Bid)

Watson is certainly sceptical, the Australia all-rounder saying: "I'm not sure if that's exactly in Alastair Cook's DNA to be really able to put a game on the line. England have obviously turned things around a bit and we've seen the flair they've started to play with in one-day cricket, which for them is a little bit too late because the World Cup has just been and they've got another three and a half years to go until the next one.

"But it's good to see they've moved with the times with how cricket is being played these days and they're going to have to do the same in Test cricket as well. (Australia Ready for Ashes Defence:Clarke)

"They've got the quality of players no doubt to be able to do it, like we've seen in the recent one-day series against New Zealand, but it's going to be interesting to see how they try to take us on."

England look certain to be taking on an Australia team without Ryan Harris after the fast bowler was ruled out of his country's final warmup match against Essex. (Johnson Relishing Ashes Confrontation)

Harris was named in the XI to take on Essex but was replaced by Peter Siddle after failing a fitness Test on Wednesday morning. The 35-year-old had major surgery on his right knee last year and the joint has flared up again after he bowled 30 overs in Australia's opening tour match against Kent last week, his first senior game of cricket since Australia's final Test against India in January.

Harris went for scans, the results of which will come back from Australia in the next 48 hours. Darren Lehmann, Australia's coach, said: "We pulled him out because he's sore, he's going to get some scans done and we'll have a better idea in a day or two."

Harris is highly unlikely to play in the first Test and must also be a doubt for the second at Lord's that follows immediately afterwards.

Chris Rogers, despite making only 21 on Wednesday, appears to have beaten off competition from Shaun Marsh to open the batting against England having been named in the team to face Essex alongside David Warner.

Watson's place appears less secure after Mitchell Marsh, his rival for the all-rounder's position, struck an unbeaten 136 on day one.

Watson made 52 before playing on to Ryan ten Doeschate but that contribution was quickly overshadowed by Marsh, whose clean-hitting was summed up by the six that brought up his century, the 23-year-old launching the spinner Aron Nijjar into the slate roof of a cafeteria at the river end of the County Ground.

Warner also made 94 from 86 balls in the morning session and the reserve wicketkeeper Peter Nevill 78 as the tourists, who have rested Johnson and Steve Smith, finished the day on 440 for six.

There were no runs for Michael Clarke, though, Australia's captain out for a golden duck after he was caught at leg gully off the bowling of the seamer Tom Moore.

Moore, 23, has played only four first-class games but was given his chance in this four-day match after Essex rested the senior seam bowlers David Masters and Graham Napier. Moore found himself on a hat-trick after dismissing Clarke, having had Rogers caught behind the previous ball.

The value of this game to Australia, coming as it does against a Division Two County Championship team, is questionable. Yet for Essex, who sold out the County Ground on Wednesday and are expecting full houses for at least the next two days, the revenue generated by the fixture could be worth as much as £250,000.