England crashed to defeat again today at the hands of Australia A in a match they so easily could have won.
On the verge of finally winning a game after 52 days on tour, the visitors suffered yet another catastrophic batting collapse to hand Australia A victory by 23 runs in a limited-overs clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Nasser Hussain's men came within sight of winning the tenth fixture of their trip but, chasing Australia A's modest 205 for nine wickets, England crashed from a dominant 110 for three wickets to be all out for 182 in 47 overs.
England have now lost six clashes and drawn four encounters since the start of a tour aimed at regaining the Ashes. They of course have already been retained by Australia.
The latest loss came despite England's best effort of the season in the field, with Nick Knight taking two superb catches.
But the middle and late-order batting was again woeful, allowing the Australian second 11 to snatch a win that had seemed beyond them.
Batting first after winning the toss, Australia A struggled, with captain Justin Langer making 62 from 103 balls and Mike Hussey a boundary-less 44 not out from 47.
In reply, England were three for one wicket after two overs when Hussey ran out Craig White, but instead of falling apart at that stage, the visitors moved towards what appeared to be a likely success.
All-rounder Ronnie Irani and then captain Hussain looked to be in charge before the big collapse.
Irani, who had taken 3-30 from 10 overs of tight medium pace, was trapped in front by Ashley Noffke for 33 from 22 balls. Hussain also made 33.
Irani was named man of the match.
Knight (20) and Robert Key (11) threw their wickets away while attempting unnecessary slogs.
Pace trio Brad Williams (1-33), Noffke (2-29), and Greg Blewett (1-15), with spinners Brad Hogg (3-32) and Andrew Symonds (1-24), shared the spoils.
Australia A started terribly when Jimmy Maher went for a duck, caught at point from an inside edge on to his pads.
Michael Clarke, a young player considered to be on the threshhold of a senior international career, strutted to the crease at 2-59 and promptly dispatched his first three balls to the fence with glorious cover drives.
But Clarke came unstuck when he charged Irani and was bowled. Hussey made a late contribution but the rest of the Australia A middle and lower order struggled, unable to find the fence from the 33rd over until the 48th.
Irani was well supported by offspinner Ian Blackwell, who took 1-24 from 10 overs.
England's next match is against the Prime Minister's XI at Canberra on Tuesday.