HOBART, Nov 17 AAP - Robert Key saved England from embarrassing defeat today, but his unbeaten 174 is unlikely to win him a Test place.

Key has little chance of playing in the second Test which starts in Adelaide on Thursday unless his partner in frustrating Australia A, John Crawley, is unfit.

Key and Crawley, who retired hurt at tea on 55 after being cracked on the right hip, restored English batting pride by battling through two sessions and ensuring the tourists go to Adelaide without further damage to their morale.

England finished the drawn three-day match at 5-310 in its second innings after being forced to follow on. Australia A made 3-353 declared and dismissed England for 183.

Key, a 23-year-old Kent batsman, only came on tour when Graham Thorpe pulled out. He played two Tests against India last northern summer in his usual opening position as a replacement for the injured Marcus Trescothick.

In his only other first class match on tour, he made 33 and 59 not out against Western Australia.

Key, who has learnt about Australian conditions through time at the Cricket Academy in Adelaide and training sessions in Perth, was easily the most impressive English batsman against Australia A as he compiled his highest first class score.

But with captain Nasser Hussain to come back and Crawley -- provided he recovers from heavy bruising -- in sound form, there's no place for him in Adelaide.

The English management said Crawley, who was hit by Brad Williams trying to pull, was receiving treatment and was expected to be fit for the Test.

In any event, England's greater problem is the bowlers, who were humiliated in Hobart.

Australia A captain Jimmy Maher emphasised this.

Maher said England could take satisfaction from the way they fought back today to save a match he'd expected to win last night.

But their bowling on the first day in helpful conditions lacked penetration and consistency.

Key was philosophical about his Test situation.

"You never know how a chance to play might come up and all I can do is go on scoring runs," he said.

Key said England had not been playing as well as they would have liked and it was important for some big scores to be posted.

"It wasn't a Test, but it was important to get your pride up," he said.

Key and Crawley resumed this morning with England a precarious 3-96.

But apart from a fine opening spell by Ashley Noffke, the batsmen were rarely troubled on a flat, though occasionally low, Bellerive Oval wicket.

Key gave difficult chances at 87 and 155 -- both to Matthew Elliott, who had an unhappy game. He retired hurt from the first ball of the match and in all dropped four catches.

While Key looked occasionally vulnerable, he also produced handsome drives and cuts, Crawley was a limpet, absolutely immovable, but also for long periods immobile.

His 55 took 276 minutes and included only three fours.

Key, on the other hand, made his 174 in 415 minutes and hit 18 boundaries.

The Australia A bowlers, who'd been in action continuously since late on the first day, were unable to maintain the immaculate line and length that undid the English batsmen in the first innings.

Off spinner Nathan Hauritz bowled for long periods and while he was economical, he had little variation and didn't look threatening.

The Australians didn't get a wicket until after tea when it no longer mattered.

© 2002 AAP

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