Shaky England insists Ashes preparation still on track

BRISBANE, Nov 3 AAP - England insisted there was nothing to read into its bumbling display against Queensland today as the tourists prepared for a shot at the world champion Australians at the Gabba on Thursday.

England dropped six catches on the second day of the three-day tour match against Queensland as Martin Love (250) drove the Bulls to a first innings total of 582 at Allan Border Field.

But the tourists were smiling at stumps after Michael Vaughan (49 not out) and Marcus Trescothick (46) reeled off a slick century stand to take England to 1-106 with one day remaining.

Both openers were impressive but that did nothing to wipe away the question marks hanging over the Test bowling attack, which toiled for 158 overs against a Queensland team missing Australian opener Matthew Hayden.

The wicket was flat and the outfield relatively small but the tourists had themselves to blame after dropping Love on 124, 166, 170 and 180.

Some of the catches were difficult but England must take similar chances if it is to support its bowlers against Australia.

Assistant coach Graham Dilley agreed with captain Nasser Hussain's assessment that England's attack lacked potency on flat wickets.

That is an uncomfortable admission against an Australian team possessing one of the most dangerous attacks ever assembled in Test cricket, regardless of the conditions.

"You can this series the problem is going to be how we get 20 wickets against the Test side on flat pitches," Dilley said.

"Although it's not the way we would choose to have done it, it's good that we've had a long bowl before the first Test.

"It's a very flat pitch - I've not seen a flatter pitch anywhere.

"But we've got to take all the chances we get. You can't afford to give the great players of Australia more than one chance."

Love rode his luck as he posted his fifth career double century and the lower order batsmen joined in, with Ashley Noffke (30) and Nathan Hauritz (31) both hitting sixes.

Noffke was caught on the eastern bank by a spectator who showed England how it was done, putting down his meat pie, taking the catch and then saluting the crowd.

Love hit one six and 27 fours in his 542-minute stay, which was outstanding despite the dropped catches.

"It must have looked like I was trying to get out but that's how it goes. When you're having some luck, that's what happens," Love said.

"But the bowling today was probably better than yesterday and the wicket quickened up.

"(Andrew) Caddick bowled the best line and length of the quicks and (Ashley) Giles turned it a bit today."

Caddick (2-89 from 31 overs) and Giles (3-124 from 40) were the busiest bowlers while Simon Jones (1-96), Matthew Hoggard (1-112) and Andrew Flintoff (2-112) will appreciate any assistance in the Gabba wicket this week.

But the tourists showed they could also score runs as Vaughan and Trescothick shone in the final session.

Both batsmen drove strongly while also playing some excellent shots square of the wicket in a clear sign they can challenge the Australian quicks.