Ashes 2013: Australia draw with Worcestershire

Australia's final warm-up match before next week's first Ashes Test against England petered out into a draw.

Chasing an unlikely 457, Worcestershire began on 64-1, but Matthew Pardoe (57), Daryl Mitchell (54) and teenager Tom Fell (62 not out) all impressed.

Pace bowlers Ryan Harris and James Faulkner took two wickets each before a draw was agreed at around 17:00 BST with the county side on 274-5.

The much-anticipated Ashes series begins at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

While Harris, Faulkner and Jackson Bird all pressed their claims to join James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc in Australia's Test pace attack, a docile pitch and some obdurate batting halted their victory charge at Worcester.

Faulkner removed opener Pardoe and Moeen Ali (35) before lunch, and while Harris bowled Alexei Kervezee after the interval, it was the only wicket to fall in the afternoon session as captain Mitchell dug in - although he eventually top-edged Harris to mid-on.

With the on-pitch entertainment declining, the afternoon's talking points included the ejection of a spectator for throwing an apple onto the New Road pitch as Phillip Hughes fielded a ball in the deep.

New Australia coach Darren Lehmann then donned his whites and baggy green cap to assist with the 12th-man duties at a drinks break.

Coach Darren Lehmann (far right) donned his whites to help carry the drinks on day four

And batsman Ed Cowan was hit on the back of the head while fielding at short leg as Mitchell whacked a long-hop from leg-spinner Steven Smith straight at him.

Although he did not need to leave the field, Cowan then had to throw himself to the floor when Mitchell tucked into another short delivery from the erratic Smith.

It was no surprise when the teams shook hands on a draw at the earliest possible opportunity.

With both England - who name their squad for the first Test on Saturday - and Australia having concluded their warm-up games, attention now turns to Trent Bridge, where proceedings will begin in earnest in five days' time.

Match scorecard