Callum Ferguson has continued his impressive form in Australia A’s series against the England Lions with a second straight half-century in the homes side’s 6-256 at Bellerive.

Ferguson cracked 65 from 64 balls to help the Australians rebuild from 3-95 on what appeared a slow wicket.

The 28-year-old South Australian made 74 from 78 balls in game two after missing the first match with a groin injury.

He put on 82 for the fourth wicket with Ben Rohrer (35 from 53) and 61 with Tim Paine (38 from 33) as the A-team battled to a competitive total.

Skipper Aaron Finch made 57 from 83 balls, while Lions spinner Simon Kerrigan was the pick of the bowlers with 2-27.

Australia A wicketkeeper Paine sent a scare through Tasmanian cricket when he needed treatment for a blow on the hand.

The former Test gloveman has had six operations on a finger that was shattered in late 2010 and kept him out of the game for two seasons.

Paine batted on until he was caught in the deep in the final over.

The Australians had cruised to 0-50 off just 56 balls but were 1-66 when Peter Handscomb (22 from 31) was stumped dancing down the wicket to Kerrigan.

That began a Lions fightback in a week they had two players sent home for disciplinary reasons and Kerrigan had his second when he bowled game-two century-maker Joe Burns (9 from 32) at 2-88.

It was 3-95 when Finch was caught behind in the 25th over when Ferguson and Rohrer came together.

Rohrer was run out in a horrible mix-up with Ferguson in the 40th over at 4-177.

West Australian Adam Voges will join the Australia A squad in Sydney on Saturday for the final two games of the series, which the home side leads 2-0.