England's Ben Stokes stakes Ashes claim

Ben Stokes is out to grasp his chance for a Test debut, by continuing to impress England's management team in Alice Springs.

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Jonathan Trott's return home, because of a stress-related illness, means – as either Joe Root or Ian Bell replace him at No.3 – a batting position opens up in the middle order for the second Test.

Jonny Bairstow, Stokes and Gary Ballance will be the three contenders aiming to join England's Ashes campaign in Adelaide.

The uncapped Stokes has the opportunity to demonstrate his all-round talents in the two-day match starting at Traeger Park against a CA Chairman's XI on Friday.

"Obviously, there's going to be a place up for grabs, and this game does come at a good time for us for the selection reasons," said the 22-year-old.

Tim Bresnan, meanwhile, continued to stake his claim for an Ashes return with four wickets for the England Performance Programme. The all-rounder, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back, claimed 4-31 to help dismiss a Queensland second XI for 156 in Brisbane.

Bresnan had hit an unbeaten half-century in the first innings as he seeks to prove his fitness ahead of the second Test in Adelaide on December 5.

England declared overnight on 376-9 and moved to 156-5 in their second innings – a lead of 376.