opener

Hansen's second and third tries came either side of Australia's opener, scored by returning centre Ikitau, who made a spell of sustained Wallaby pressure count when he barged past Prendergast under the posts.

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test, leaving Australia's pace bowling seriously depleted for the series opener against England in Perth.

The tourists hinted at their plans for the Ashes opener by naming five pace bowlers, including Wood and Archer, and no front-line spinner in their XI for the tour game against the Lions.

Broad last month said the current Australia side is the worst since 2010 in response to former opener David Warner's prediction England will lose the upcoming series 4-0.

The opener of a two-Test series begins on Friday at Kolkata's Eden Gardens with the tourists arriving there fresh from a 1-1 draw in Pakistan.