SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - England blew it.

On the verge of finally winning a match after 52 days on tour, the visitors suffered another catastrophic batting collapse to hand Australia A victory by 23 runs in the limited overs clash at the SCG tonight.

Humiliated in the first three Ashes Tests, downed by a Chairman's XI, unsuccessful against Western Australia, Queensland and Australia A in three-dayers, and flogged by WA and NSW in one-dayers, Nasser Hussain's men should have won the tenth fixture of their trip.

But no.

Chasing Australia A's modest 9-205, England crashed from a dominant 3-110 to be all out 182 in 47 overs.

Losing has become a bad, bad habit.

"They're obviously under pressure," said Australia A captain Justin Langer.

"I always think that winning or making runs or taking wickets or losing is a habit and they've gotten out of the habit of winning.

"It's all about momentum and England don't seem to be able to get that momentum, which is great for Australian cricket.

"I've always maintained they've got some very good players, experienced players and they're playing well in patches so what they need to find is the habit of winning and doing the basics right.

"It's not rocket science. One-day cricket is a funny game, they only need to win a couple of games and the momentum might start building."

England's effort in the field was its best of the summer. Nick Knight took two screaming catches, there was a snappy run out, the ground fielding was clean and even the bowlers found the right line and length as Australia A struggled past 200.

Langer made 62 from 103 balls, Mike Hussey a boundary-less 44 from 47, Michael Clarke 23 from 25 and Greg Blewett 23 from 39 but they lacked worthwhile support.

"I thought we might not have had enough runs," said Langer.

In reply, England was 1-3 after two overs when Hussey ran out Craig White, but instead of falling apart as expected, the visitors started honing in on a win with allrounder Ronnie Irani and then captain Nasser Hussain in charge.

Then they fell apart.

Irani, who had taken 3-30 from ten overs of tight medium pace, was trapped LBW by Ashley Noffke for 33 from 22 balls. Hussain also made 33. Nick Knight (20) and Robert Key (11) threw their wickets away with slogs that were not needed as the rot set in.

"No getting away from it - that's a game we should have won," said Knight.

"There are 16 blokes in that dressing room desperate to win and tonight was a missed opportunity.

"It's not fun when you keep losing."

Brad Williams (1-33), Noffke (2-29), Blewett (1-15), Brad Hogg (3-32) and Andrew Symonds (1-24) shared the spoils.

Australia A started terribly after winning the toss when Jimmy Maher went for a duck, caught at point from an inside edge onto his pads.

Young Michael Clarke strutted to the crease at 2-59 and promptly dispatched his first three balls to the fence with glorious cover drives, the first of which was a treat. He was still holding his follow through - bat poised over shoulder - as the ball skidded over the boundary rope.

"He's a very talented young man, he's hitting the ball as sweetly as anyone going around," said Langer.

But Clarke came unstuck when he charged Irani and was bowled. Hussey made a late contribution but the rest of the Australia A middle and lower struggled, unable to find the fence from the 33rd over until the 48th.

England's next match is against the Prime Minister's XI at Canberra on Tuesday.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.