New South Wales 211-2 (42 overs) beat England 206 (49.2 ovs) by eight wickets

ENGLAND'S problems Down Under continued as former Test opener Michael Slater hit a superb 115 as New South Wales claimed a comfortable win.

Slater was given a late call-up when Mark Waugh suffered a groin strain and shared a second wicket stand of 134 with Michael Bevan.

Defeat was not a surprise given that a number of their players had not seen competitive action since September, but there were few encouraging signs ahead of the VB Series against Australia and Sri Lanka apart from Ronnie Irani's 81.

Andrew Flintoff was out for seven in his return to action and had figures of one for 55 from nine overs, while paceman Harmison conceded runs at a rate of seven per over.