Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad was the pick of the English bowlers against an Australian XI. [Reuters]

Stuart Broad impressed on the first day of England's final warm-up match against an Australian Invitational XI in Sydney but it was a largely frustrating day for captain Alastair Cook.

Having seen England reduce the home side to 93-5 thanks to three wickets from Broad and two from Steven Finn, an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 178 from Ryan Carters (94no) and Peter Nevill (76no) helped them reach 271-5 at the close of play.

With the first Test against Australia beginning on 21 November in Brisbane this is the last opportunity for England to gain some vital match practice.

Cook will have been pleased with how his bowlers performed in the first half of the day at the SCG but will be concerned at how blunt the attack looked throughout the second half of the day.

England chose to rest James Anderson and with Chris Tremlett left it, Boyd Rankin was handed another opportunity to stake a claim for a starting berth at the Gabba.

However, the former Ireland fast bowler struggled to make a significant impact as he failed to claim a single wicket, with his 20 overs going for 60 runs.

Broad was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed the wickets of the dangerous Aaron Finch for just four before trapping Callum Ferguson in front of the wicket for just eight to leave the Australian side in trouble at 27-2.

Finn then got in on the act as he removed Kurtis Patterson for five before Broad returned to the attack to remove Ben Rohrer thanks to a fine catch at backward point by Michael Carberry.

Ed Cowan provided some stern resistance before he was eventually removed by Finn for 51 shortly after lunch.

England were in prime position but Carters and Nevill rarely looked troubled as they visibly grew in confidence throughout the day.

Cook will hope his bowlers can take the final five wickets quickly on day two so that the England batsmen can have plenty of time at the crease, particularly Jonny Bairstow who will be keen to impress in the absence of the injured Matt Prior.

Australia England Ashes