Taylor hands win to England

Taylor's over proved crucial as it cost the 16-run winning margin.

After winning the toss and batting first, England recovered from losing four wickets for 26 to finish on 225 for 8.

The Englishmen bowled out the Prime Minister's combination for 209.

Daniel Marsh topscored for the Prime Minister's team with 74 from 72 balls. Opener Corey Richards knocked 28 while Taylor contributed 25.

England's win was their first against the Prime Ministers Invitation side since the 1986-87 Ashes tour.

Contrary to recent results England's tail finally wagged, with Angus Fraser's efforts making all the difference.

He smashed 16 runs, including two sixes, off the final over bowled by Taylor and was not out on 23 at the close.

Wicketkeeper Warren Hegg topscored for England with 47 off 88 balls, while Mark Harrity finished with three for 46 off his 10 overs for the PM's side.

England's decision to give their Test batsmen another try-out backfired as Mark Butcher, Ben Holliaoke, John Crawley and Graeme Hick were sent back to the pavilion for just 26 runs.

Butcher was first to go for just four runs, thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Corey Richards off Mark Harrity.

Then Holliaoke and Crawley both made ducks and Hick was out for six, with Harrity and Mark Nicholson claiming two wickets apiece.

Captain Alec Stewart, who had won the toss and chosen to bat, steadied the ship in a 59-run fifth wicket stand with Nasser Hussain.

Stewart was dismissed for 34 in the 17th over but Hussain continued the fight with 41 off 54 balls.

England had named a near full-strength team, with the in-form Mark Ramprakash the only front-line batsman rested from the Test side that lost the decisive third Test in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Tight bowling by Mullally, Cork and Fraser sent the Australians back to the pavillion with 14 balls to spare.