Robert Key staked his claim for a Test place as England fought back to draw their tour match against Australia A in Hobart.

Key's unbroken stand of 176 with John Crawley helped England recover from a perilous position to salvage some pride before the second Ashes Test.

Key ended the day on 174 not out as the tourists declared their second innings on 310-5, 140 runs ahead.

But Crawley, who hit 55 not out, sparked a scare after picking up a hip injury.

Key attacks through the off-side

The Hampshire batsman was struck by seamer Brad Williams shortly before tea as he mistimed a pull and had to use Michael Vaughan as a runner.

Crawley did not emerge after the break but England insist he is not an injury doubt for the Adelaide Test on Thursday.

England had begun the day 74 runs adrift after following on.

But Key, who has hit 15 boundaries during his 70 overs at the crease, looked in fine form while Crawley played the more cautious innings.

The pair added only 75 runs in the morning session, with Crawley taking six overs to add to his overnight score of six.

It took him more than four hours to reach his fifty.

Key dominated the stand, forcing the hosts to take the new ball in the afternoon session in a desperate attempt to make the breakthrough.

Crawley and Key had a fruitful partnership

Spinner Nathan Hauritz collected the wickets of Andrew Flintoff (15) and Craig White (2) after Crawley's retirement before England's declaration brought the draw.

"It wasn't a Test, but it was important to get your pride up," Key said.

"You never know how a chance to play might come up and all I can do is go on scoring runs."

For the 23-year-old from Kent, it was his first hundred in England colours and his 11th at first-class level.

He offered just two difficult chances, on 87 and 155.

Key played two Tests against India in August as a replacement for injured opener Marcus Trescothick but only made the Ashes tour after Graham Thorpe pulled out.

Australia A: Jimmy Maher (cap), Greg Blewett, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Matthew Elliott, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Martin Love, Ashley Noffke, Marcus North, Brad Williams.

England: Marcus Trescothick (cap), Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Robert Key, John Crawley, Craig White, Andrew Flintoff, Alex Tudor, Richard Dawson, James Foster, Steve Harmison.