Aussies' Ashes hopefuls pile on the runs

Cameron Bancroft and Marnus Labuschagne have continued their strong County Championship form with top-scoring performances for Glamorgan and Durham respectively.

Labuschagne on Sunday posted his fourth century of the northern summer against Worcestershire as he took his run tally to 938 and edged closer to a place in Australia's squad for the Ashes series, which begins on August 1.

With one more Championship game to play before Australia batsman Shaun Marsh returns (unless he is selected in the Test squad) Labuschagne has been a revelation in helping Glamorgan rise to the top of Division Two after finishing bottom last season.

He was well-supported by David Lloyd (97) as Glamorgan posted a formidable 449, with Worcestershire 5-191 in reply at stumps on day two.

Labuschagne's chanceless 106 from 139 balls included a six and 13 fours, as the Queenslander added 138 for the third wicket with Glamorgan captain David Lloyd.

On Monday, Bancroft gave Australian selectors another nudge as the opener compiled a patient 77 for Durham against Lancashire.

Skipper Bancroft stroked eight boundaries on his way to his half-century as the visitors reached 1-136 on day two at Sedbergh School.

Durham closed on 5-199, still trailing Lancashire's first-innings score by 138. However, it was a vintage spell from James Anderson that brought the crowd to their feet in the final session.

Bancroft was bowled by Anderson to halt his 139-ball knock before Graham Clark was trapped lbw to became the veteran England paceman's 950th first-class victim.

Earlier, Lancashire had closed on 337 all out as Queenslander Nathan Rimmington claimed 4-74.

In Division One, Ashes hopeful Peter Siddle claimed the miserly figures of 3-38 from 19.1 overs as his Essex took on Nottinghamshire.

Qantas Ashes Tour of the UK 2019

Tour match: Australia v Australia A, Hampshire, July 23-26

First Test: August 1-5 at Edgbaston, Birmingham

Tour match: Australia v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: August 14-18 at Lord's, London

Third Test: August 22-26 at Headingley, Leeds

Tour match: Australia v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester

Fifth Test: September 12-16 at The Oval, London