Australia A narrowly defeated Ireland at Warrenstown yesterday by three wickets in a restricted 35 overs match.

It took an unbeaten eighth wicket partnership of 47 between Alan Dale (25 not out) and the anchorman of the innings Damien Martyn (59 not out) to see them achieve victory.

Against a tight Ireland attack of Paul Moody (3 for 40) and Kyle McCallan's 2 for 22, only skipper di Venuto, with a whirlwind 33, looked comfortable.

Ireland lost their first wicket at 55, in the 14th over, when Neil Carson was bowled by Dale for 23.

Stephen Smyth, in scoring nine, passed Angus Dunlop's 1996 record aggregate in a season (647), but one run later he was run out to a superb throw by Bichel.

Top scorer McCallan posted 51, which included six boundaries, but was caught at 104. However, Steve Waugh entertained the crowd with his half century in only 36 balls, including two massive sixes as Ireland reached a very credible 192 for seven.

Ireland K McCallan c B Julian b A Bichel - 51 N Carson b A Dale - 23 S Smyth run out - 10 S Waugh c D Martyn b B Julian - 50 P Gillespie not out - 14 A Dunlop c D MArtyn b B Julian - 15 E Joyce run out - 10 G Cooke run out - 0 Extras - 19 - Total (for 7 wkts) off 35 overs - 192

Did not bat: J Bushe, M Dwyer, P Moody.

Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-95, 3-104, 4-136, 5172, 6-192, 7-192.

Bowling: J Gillespie 7-1-40-0; A Dale 7-0-17-1; B Julian 6-0-42-2; C Miller 7-0-29-0; A Bichel 7-043-1; A Symons 1-0-11-0.

Australia A R Campbell c G Cooke b P Mooney - 21 D Hills c J Bushe b P Moody 1 M di Venuto lbw P Moody - 33 D Martyn not out - 59 A Symonds c M Carson b K McCallan - 22 B Julian c A Dunlop b K McCallan - 4 M Hussey c S Smyth b G Cooke - 8 A Bichel c J Bushe b E Joyce - 5 A Dale not out - 25 Extras< LI 17 - Total (for 7 wkts) off 32.2 overs - 195

Did not bat: J Gillespie, C Miller.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-52, 3-63, 4-107, 5-122, 6-142, 7-148.

Bowling: J Gillespie 7-1-40-0, A Dale 7-0-17-1, B Julian 6-0-42-2, C Miller 7-0-29-0, A Bichel 7-043-1 and A Symonds 1-0-11-0.

Vice-captain Nasser Hussain has withdrawn from the England side to play Sri Lanka at The Oval today through injury.

Hussain injured his groin in last Thursday's one-day triangular tournament final against Sri Lanka.

Lancashire's John Crawley will replace Hussain for the one-off test. Crawley will bat number six with Graeme Hick moving up to number three.

Glamorgan opener Steve James has been drafted into the England squad as cover for Michael Atherton, who has a recurring back complaint.

The recall of Ben Hollioake gives the Surrey all-rounder an opportunity to secure a berth for the Australia tour after improved bowling performances under the guidance of England bowlers' coach Bob Cottam.

However, Hollioake's Surrey team-mate, leg-spinner Ian Salisbury, wicketless in the last two tests against South Africa, needs to bowl with confidence and conviction to secure his place in the Ashes squad.