Birmingham: England saw several of their likely team for next week's first Ashes Test get a decent workout in a drawn practice match against Warwickshire here at Edgbaston.

The fact there was no play before lunch on Friday's final day ended any England hopes of victory.

But, more importantly, several batsmen all made at least fifty with only Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff from England's probable top seven for the first Test against Australia, which starts at Cardiff on Wednesday, failing to reach the landmark.

Ravi Bopara extended his overnight 88 not out to 104 while Paul Collingwood (79) and Matt Prior (50 not out) both weighed in with scores to set alongside England captain Andrew Strauss's 61.

"Everyone is pretty relaxed and everyone is playing well," Bopara said.

"The way our bowlers played here gives them confidence and gives the batters confidence.

"We coped well on this sort of deck and we are very relaxed. Everyone seems chilled but working really hard.

"Everyone has been in the nets and in the gym getting ready in every possible way - whether it is strength, fitness or technique - so we are ready for Wednesday."

Bopara added: "It has been a good little run in to the first Test. The boys got a hit, and the bowlers bowled well and look on fire - so we're happy all round.

"The standard (of opposition is) not as high as next week, but there's nothing better than a cricketer spending time out in the middle - as a batsman you can work five days a week for five hours in the nets and it is not the same as going out in the middle.

"The lads just want to get on with it now. There has been enough build-up, and we just want to get stuck in and hope when Wednesday comes round we get going."

England eventually declared on 319 for three at tea, a lead of 507, and there was still time for Flintoff to work up a head of steam with the ball before a draw was agreed with Warwickshire 27 for three.

Now the selectors are due to meet on Saturday at Worcester, where the second-string England Lions are playing a four-day match Australia, to finalise a first Test squad due to be announced on Sunday.

All the team that played against Warwickshire are due to be named in the squad but the selectors, headed up by ex-England off-spinner Geoff Miller, could add further names.

Fast bowler Stephen Harmison, dropped during this year's West Indies' tour, has done his best to force his way back by twice removing Australia opener Phillip Hughes at Worcester.

His Durham colleague Graham Onions has also looked good in the same match while left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom has been in the wickets at Trent Bridge for Nottinghamshire during their Championship match with Lancashire.

Harmison though can veer between the sublime and the simply awful so the selectors may opt for the more reliable Sidebottom.

Meanwhile Ian Bell, following the retirement of former England captain Michael Vaughan, could be included as the squad's spare batsman.

Bopara, preparing for his first Ashes series, said: "Every player expects to play, and the 11 here expect to play.

"I'm not one choosing the team but I think every player will prepare as if they are going to play - because the last thing you want to do is rock up on Wednesday and be surprised when they pick the team."

Brief Score: England XI 290 for 8 dec and 319 for 3 dec (Strauss 61, Bopara 104, Collingwood 79*, Prior 50*) drew with Warwickshire 102 (Anderson 5-34) and 27 for 3.