Hussain satisfied despite bad day for England

BRISBANE, Nov 2 AAP - England captain Nasser Hussain was satisfied with his team's pre-Ashes workout despite watching Queensland dominate the opening to the three-day tour match at Allan Border Field today.

Martin Love scored an unbeaten 124 as the Bulls reached 4-333 at stumps on a day that did nothing to enhance England's reputation before the Ashes series begins at the Gabba on Thursday.

But Hussain had wanted his likely Test attack to work through a hard day against quality Queensland batsmen in Stuart Law (68), Andrew Symonds (47) and Jimmy Maher (41) after the Bulls won the toss.

"We needed a real hard-work day and that's just what we got," Hussain said.

"On a hard, flat wicket like this we haven't got the firepower yet to blast sides out. We win by staying in games and that's how it's going to be out here."

Hussain was pleased with the performance of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff (2-61), who bowled 18 overs to prove he had recovered from the double hernia operation which had threatened his Test place.

But Andrew Caddick (2-53) was the best bowler in an attack which lacked the ammunition to knock over Love, Law and the fluent Symonds.

He claimed Maher and opener Brendan Nash (18) within six balls during a searching 10-over spell in humid conditions.

Love, who has an Australian Cricket Board contract, hit 16 boundaries in an important personal knock in front of national selector Trevor Hohns.

The 28-year-old, who has become one of the most reliable runscorers in Australian domestic cricket, warned England to expect a tough summer.

"They're going to have their work cut out, but their bowlers are certainly good enough," Love said after his 23rd first-class century.

"If they play on a wicket similar to this, which the Gabba will probably be, it's going to be hard work for their bowlers.

"Caddick was the best of the bowlers by a fair way, and the others seemed to have a few niggles."

Love has hit the ball more crisply during his career but he batted for almost five hours, surviving a confident LBW shout on 77 from the bowling of young quick Simon Jones (0-65 from 16 overs).

Law looked the most likely batsman to post a century when he slipped past 50 in good time, but the veteran popped a return catch to Flintoff before the tea break.

Symonds then threatened to unleash a typically rapid century before he provided a soft catch behind off Flintoff.

He kept England waiting when he thumped left-arm spinner Ashley Giles (0-67 from 20) out of the ground and into a car park of the neighbouring Albion Park trotting track.

England paceman Darren Gough, who has been ruled out of the first Test because of his troublesome knee, bowled in the nets and has received permission from Queensland Cricket to play grade cricket in Brisbane next week.

Gough will line up for University on the second day of their match against Sandgate-Redcliffe, which has also been allowed to take in an English squad member not required in the first Test.