Australia will head for the first Ashes Test with considerable improvements still needed in certain areas after the final warm-up game with England Lions at New Road ended in a draw.

The Lions were set a nominal target of 445 in 60 overs after Marcus North's unbeaten 191 had set up the lunchtime closure and they ended on 162 for four with 14 overs remaining.

The game ended in bizarre fashion with umpire Jeff Evans needing treatment from a paramedic after tumbling to the floor but he was able to eventually walk from the outfield.

It was a good work-out for Ricky Ponting's side and the cricket was intense for the first three days before the tourists opted for batting and bowling practice on the final day rather than to set a challenging declaration but Ponting will be aware there as many negatives as pluses to emerge from the four-day fixture.

Opener Phillip Hughes was found wanting against the short ball and twice fell victim to Steve Harmison while Ponting himself will head to Cardiff short of runs after a double failure against the Lions.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz did little to suggest he will be a potential match-winner and part-time slow bowlers North and Michael Clarke may be preferred to fill the role.

Paceman Mitchell Johnson is a near certainty to play but he proved expensive, conceding nearly five runs an over, although he did pick up two wickets with the new ball at the start of the Lions second innings.

The biggest plus was the return to form of Brett Lee who, at 31, is now the senior statesman of the Australian attack.

He demonstrated he has fully recovered from ankle surgery in the winter and used reverse swing to good effect in taking six first innings wickets.

Mike Hussey ended a nine month run without a hundred and added a second innings 50 for good measure while North also found form after managing just 13 runs in his previous three innings.