Aussies disappoint in Northants draw

Australia have suffered another batting collapse on their Ashes tour, this time against Northamptonshire in a drawn tour game.

Pat Cummins finished 82 not out, his 98-run stand with Nathan Lyon ensuring Australia avoided being bowled out in Northampton.

VIEW: Full scorecard here

Durham were the most recent county side to force Australia to follow on, in 1993.

Earlier on Sunday it looked like Northants might end that streak.

Watch all nine Australian wickets to fall

The three-day clash was supposed to be a tune-up for the fifth Test, which starts at the Oval on Thursday.

Image Id: ~/media/1787861FC60744F58324F5C4605EC05C

The skipper, vice captain and chairman of selectors talk // Getty Images

Instead it proved to be a source of further disappointment for a squad that relinquished the urn last week.

Day one was washed out and day two was dominated by Northamptonshire, the locals scoring freely and quickly.

Cummins top-scored for the visitors, while Mitch Marsh scored 68 after a woeful top-order collapse of 5-74.

Image Id: ~/media/A3F9508AD0B74A1094D3C1A6564A0A42

Pat Cummins hits a six off the last ball // Getty Images

Cummins and Lyon pushed Australia's innings into a third session, but both were given a chance early.

READ: Cummins realistic about call-up chance

Australia finished 9-312 in response to the hosts' 396.

George Munsey put down a straightforward catch at point when Lyon was on 17, while Cummins was yet to score when Josh Cobb dropped a catch at first slip.

The visitors resumed on Sunday at 1-13.

They continued to look a side low on motivation, playing a match devoid of meaning.

Image Id: ~/media/2F65438975DE4892A080E26805D842BB

Steve Smith after making a duck // Getty Images

It started with Steve Smith.

The 26-year-old will assume the captaincy after the fifth Test, but was leading the side in the fixture as Michael Clarke was rested.

Smith lasted six balls before prodding at a delivery from Maurice Chambers, the resultant edge flying to keeper David Murphy.

Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges were also out edging, while Shane Watson was trapped lbw by Ben Sanderson.

Image Id: ~/media/83886F85DA4640C5B998FC96618E0A8E

Shane Watson was given out lbw // Getty Images

It came against an inexperienced Northamptonshire attack, hardly a harbinger of hope for the tourists as they prepare to face Stuart Broad, and possibly James Anderson, in London.

It's not the first time the East Midlands town has been a source of angst for Australia.

Image Id: ~/media/0A56326EAE82411BAC6BB6473EF28FF1

Marsh, Voges and Watson watch on // Getty Images

Northamptonshire forced Don Bradman's 1930 tourists to follow on, while Bishen Bedi's left-arm spin helped them defeat Ian Chappell's side in 1972.

Mitch Marsh, who is expected to be recalled for the upcoming dead rubber against England, ensured Australia at least avoided another embarrassingly low total.

The 23-year-old looked comfortable at the crease and struck 11 boundaries before attempting to drive another off paceman Richard Gleeson.

The allrounder had already underlined his importance to the XI with a haul of 4-56.

Mitch Marsh has underlined his importance to Australia with a four-wicket haul in Northampton, but an Aussie-born allrounder stole the show on day two

Coach Darren Lehmann admitted last week it was a mistake to leave him out of the XI that lost by an innings and 78 runs at Trent Bridge.