BARROW'S Liam Livingstone made a decent contribution as England had to settle for a draw against a Cricket Australia XI.

The new Lancashire captain scored 36 in the first innings and 15 not out in the second knock and also took a catch in the two-day tour match at Perth's Richardson Park.

While England team management pondered what disciplinary measures to dole out to Lions opener Ben Duckett for pouring beer over all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson’s head during a night out, match without too much extra drama was doubtless on the wish-list.

In the end, they just about got that at Richardson Park - although for several overs, after CA captain Travis Dean (100) and his opening partner Will Bosisto (50) had racked up a quickfire stand of 152, it appeared Moeen Ali's second-string team was perhaps literally contriving to lose.

The two camps had agreed a victory target of 294 in a minimum 37 overs, following three declarations.

With the CA openers then soon in full flow against an apparently vulnerable attack, it was no foregone conclusion that England would close out at least a stalemate. Ultimately, the hosts finished a few more big hits short on 269 for eight as Moeen persisted with spinners Jack Leach (four for 104) and Mason Crane to keep buying wickets.

There were two wickets for Mark Wood in CA's first innings, as he seeks to press left-field ambition to be added to a full Test squad which will return to Ashes action 2-0 down with three to play at the WACA on Thursday.