In light of Australia struggling to handle swing and seam on recent tours to England, the likes of Test captain Tim Paine and potential opener Marcus Harris tested themselves against the Dukes ball on tailor-made pitches at the Cricket Australia National Cricket Centre which aimed to mirror English conditions.

Harris, who faces competition from the likes of Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns and the returning Cameron Bancroft to partner David Warner at the top of the order, believed the workout provided a valuable insight ahead of the hotly anticipated series beginning in August at Edgbaston.

He said, “It was pretty English up there. The wickets were doing plenty and the ball was swinging around a fair bit, so it was good competition. It’s a good challenge for us in Brisbane, having something hopefully similar to what we’ll have in England.”

The opener said he had been receiving advice of Victoria mentor and former Leicestershire coach Andrew McDonald who will join the Australia A squad for the red-ball leg of their UK tour which begins on Thursday with a one-day game against Northamptonshire.

“We had the English Dukes balls, which are different to the ones we use in Sheffield Shield. It was good preparation. By no means did I come out and smash them but everything felt like it was moving properly.”

“There’s definitely still a bit of water to go under the bridge but I feel like I’m doing all the right things at the moment,” he said.