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Work to do despite solid warm-up win

A middle-order collapse and some dropped catches leave Australia with room for improvement despite victory over Sussex

A middle-order collapse and a rusty fielding display gave the Australians something to work on after they claimed a 57-run win against Sussex that was more tightly fought then the final scorecard might suggest.

Marcus Stoinis was the stand-out performer, hitting 110 batting at No.3 and later chimed in with a wicket and a run-out in the field.

Stoinis kicks off UK tour classy century

It was the second successive 50-over match for Australia that Stoinis had batted at No.3, and Thursday's century in Hove followed the 87 he scored against England in Perth in late January.

"Good to start a tour like that, more importantly it's fun to be out there playing again, in these (Australian) colours with your mates. It's fun," Stoinis said after the match.

The Western Australian was the anchor as Australia scored 9-277, belting four towering sixes and crashing nine boundaries in a 112-ball knock.

But while Stoinis was solid at one end, putting on 93 with Aaron Finch for the second wicket, Australia's middle order wobbled badly. Stoinis was stranded at the non-striker's end as the Australians lost 4-13 in a 31-ball span.

"It was a tough wicket to bat through the middle there, but I think you've got to absorb a bit of pressure and accept it's a bit difficult," Stoinis said.

"It's been a bit of a pattern for us, so it's something we're going to try and fix."

Image Id: 54AF18A2328044A3AD9CA589938E3B95 Image Caption: Australia's bowlers fought back to seal victory // Getty

Stoinis fell in the 47th over, a low full toss from Jofra Archer mistimed and skied high to long-off, and he whacked his bat across his pads in disappointment as he exited.

"For the team it's important that if you get in, you take the game as deep as possible," Stoinis said. "As we kept losing wickets it probably means you need to go a bit further into the innings each time. A couple of extra overs would have been handy."

Stoinis said he wasn't sure he would remain at No.3 with Australia likely to make changes for their second and final warm-up match against Middlesex at Lord's on Saturday.

Stoinis reflects on warm-up hundred

"I'll go with the flow and be adaptable and see what happens," he said.

Sussex coach Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler, said Stoinis's innings was the difference between the two sides in a match that for a time had the county side on track for a win.

"We lost a couple of wickets and made it a little bit difficult for ourselves," Gillespie said. "We had our opportunities but the difference was the Aussie boys had someone get a hundred and we had a few guys get starts and a couple of 50s and a 40-odd but not go on and get big score.

"For a first hit out, they’ll be pleased to come out here and have a good game of cricket. I think we gave them a good game of cricket. "

Gillespie had plenty of inside knowledge to work with: Travis Head and Michael Neser were part of his Big Bash title winning Adelaide Strikers side last summer, while fellow strikers Billy Stanlake and Alex Carey were left out of the playing XI.

Langer, Paine set out their expectations for Australia

The Australians are missing first-choice bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, as well as allrounder Mitchell Marsh, and Gillepsie was impressed with the way the current Aussie attack dragged the match back, and said it would be a good lesson for both sides.

"Certainly our boys will learn a lot from playing Australia. I’ve seen a lot of these (Australians) for a number of years, I think it’s a really good bowling attack.

"Any team that misses the guys who are missing, they’re not easy guys to replace but I think the Australian selectors have picked well, they’ve got a good crew of quicks there and I think they’ll do a good job."

Qantas tours of England and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of England

June 7: Warm-up v Sussex: Australia won by 57 runs

June 9: Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13: First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16: Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19: Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

Friday, July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 8: Final