Doubts on Ashes line-ups after draw in Hobart England's Ashes preparations have suffered a further setback with an injury scare to Matt Prior. Australia A batsman Alex Doolan drives a ball to the boundary from England paceman Stuart Broad on the final day of their cricket match in Hobart today Source: AFP England spinner Graeme Swann, right, and wicketkeeper Joe Root, left, appeal successfully for an LBW decision against Australia A batsman Michael Klinger, centre, today Source: AFP WICKETKEEPER Matt Prior sent an injury scare through the England camp as the tourists drew their rain-marred match against Australia A in Hobart today. Australia's George Bailey, meanwhile, missed a chance to put his claims for an Ashes debut beyond doubt. Prior felt tightness in his calf when attempting a quick single while batting on the final day of the Bellerive match, and may require a scan. Joe Root kept wicket for England as Prior stayed off the field during Australia A's first innings, and his fitness will be a concern for the tourists heading into their final pre-Ashes tour match against an Invitational XI starting on Wednesday in Sydney. The opening Ashes Test takes place at Brisbane's Gabba ground on November 21. The Hobart weather finally made play possible today with all the leading batsmen getting some action and the England's bowlers sending down a combined 31 overs in Australia A's innings. At the close, Australia A were three for 119 with Shaun Marsh 27 not out and Callum Ferguson on 15 in reply to England's seven for 430 declared off 128 overs. England lost two playing days in the match when rain washed out play on days two and three of the four-day game. Australian Test candidate Alex Doolan made a fluent start to his final bid for a debut in Brisbane, but he failed to put forward an overwhelming case after he was bowled by James Anderson for 31. Another batsman in contention, Marsh, also did nothing wrong with his limited opportunity. Anderson (2-20) looked sharp with the new ball and Root (58 not out) made a good fist of his return to the middle-order, but many of England's batsmen were dismissed cheaply. Star batsman Kevin Pietersen (8) was one of several England stars who failed to find form at Bellerive, with Jonathan Trott (4), Gary Ballance (4) and Prior (26) also struggling. Pietersen was trapped lbw by Trent Copeland with one that stayed low, and lost an opportunity for a long batting stint after missing the opening tour game in Perth. Trott and Ballance were claimed by paceman Ben Cutting (2-75). Trott was caught behind for four. Ballance did not help his Test hopes with another cheap score following up his first-ball duck in Perth, with four before he was lbw to Cutting. Prior made 26 before he fell lbw to spinner Jon Holland, who also got the wicket of Stuart Broad for eight. Root enhanced his claims of batting lower down the order in the Ashes series opener, after opener Michael Carberry's century in this match with a handy half-century which included six fours. England captain Alastair Cook (154) and his new opening partner Carberry (153) retired out when play resumed to give others a bat. For Australia, Bailey missed a chance to put his claims for an Ashes debut beyond doubt, but the Australian and Tasmanian one-day star says he will never be more ready to make his mark in Test cricket. With the vacant No. 6 batting position the biggest conundrum heading into the first Test in Brisbane, selectors would have been hoping for a lights-out performance from one of the contenders before announcing the team on Tuesday. Bailey is the front-runner after a brilliant performance leading the ODI team in India but, two days after getting off the plane, he was unable to convert starts in both innings for Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland. In Hobart, the elements conspired against the Australia A batsmen, with candidates Doolan (31 from 35) and Shaun Marsh (27 not out) impressive but far from compelling in their brief opportunity between the rain drops. Shane Watson's hamstring injury has muddied the waters a little further, however Australian coach Darren Lehmann says he's confident the No. 3 batsman will face England at the Gabba. If Watson is fit, that would leave just one opening, and Bailey says he's ready. I'd love the opportunity to see how I go. I feel like, in terms of my game, I know it as well as I ever have," Bailey said after making 34 and 41 in Tasmania's draw with Queensland. I feel like I'm probably batting as well as I ever have. But I'm in a pretty good place so, if it doesn't happen, I'm pretty comfortable as well. My goal over the last 18 months has been to play Test cricket. It'd be a huge honour so, if it happened, I'd be thrilled. Bailey was given a working over by Test spearhead Ryan Harris in the first innings, which he initially survived until nicking behind when play resumed the following morning. It was a tough ask for the 31-year-old to overcome jet lag and perform in his first Shield match of the season, and commendable for him to put himself out there to play when he was already the favourite for No. Bailey said facing Harris was a confidence boost ahead of a potential baptism of fire against England. "I don't think there's much harder in terms of facing fast bowlers in the world than him at his best, so that was a good challenge," he said. It was certainly good to get some red-ball cricket in. Australia are likely to name a 13-man squad, featuring allrounder James Faulkner and a back-up fast bowler, to provide cover for Watson. There's the possibility a shadow batsman such as Doolan could also be put on standby. It was a good round of Shield cricket otherwise for Australia's top order, with David Warner, Chris Rogers and Steve Smith all making hundreds. Watson won't be risked in NSW's Shield clash with Queensland next week and, even if he does play in the first Test, it's still doubtful whether he will be able to bowl. Lehmann didn't specify if he expected Watson to be able to operate as an allrounder, but he's confident he'll have him on deck in some capacity. "The reports from our medical team on Shane's recovery from injury are pleasing," he said. We want him to continue his treatment and, if all goes to plan, join the Australian team in camp ahead of the first Test.