Ashes 2025-26: England Lions Rally in Canberra Pink-Ball Opener

England Lions begin their Canberra assignment with a pink-ball day-night clash that could shape their Ashes campaign. Under floodlights at Manuka Oval, the visitors must show resilience after Australia’s Prime Minister's XI posted a sizeable total and then faced a late-innings scramble from the Lions.

Tour match, Manuka Oval, Canberra (day one of two)

Prime Minister's XI 308-8d: Kellaway 82, McSweeney 63, Peake 54; Potts 2-40

England Lions 30-0: Haines 17*, Gay 12*

England Lions trail by 278

Scorecard

England Lions' bowlers fought back under the floodlights after the PM's XI built a solid platform with half-centuries from Kellaway, McSweeney and Peake. Kellaway and McSweeney, both in their mid-twenties, are aiming to press for a place higher in Australia’s batting order during the Ashes series, as Usman Khawaja’s form remains a topic of discussion.

Opener Sam Konstas added 36 before being dismissed by Haines as the Lions found their rhythm with the ball. A one-handed slip catch by Haines to dismiss Kellaway sparked a late flurry of wickets for England, who claimed six in the final session to swing momentum their way.

England finished day one with Haines and Emilio Gay steady at the crease, 30-0 at stumps. They will resume on day two needing 278 runs to make the hosts bat again.

Captain Tom Haines, pace bowler Matthew Potts and spinner Tom Hartley shared two wickets apiece for the tourists, while Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell claimed one each. Tongue bowled with pace and showed improved control, finishing with figures of 0-30 from his first six overs and 0-18 from his last ten.

Tongue’s near-term role - with Mark Wood likely unavailable for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane due to a knee issue, Tongue is among the leading candidates to fill the pace slot. Potts’s 2-40 also underlined his case for selection, though other options remain in contention.

The second Ashes Test is a pink-ball day-night clash at the Gabba, scheduled to begin on Thursday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t attend the Canberra match, as he was attending his own wedding to partner Jodie Haydon.

• England’s Wood set to miss second Ashes Test

• Australian prime minister marries in office

Match analysis and quotes

After a productive start for the PM's XI, the England bowlers steadied the ship in the evening session. Hartley credited the team’s focus under lights and noted the ball skidded more as the surface hardened in the night sessions, making life tougher for the batters.

Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie praised Tongue for bowling with pace and good control under the lights, saying he looked ready for Brisbane if needed. Hartley added that the changes in light conditions demand extra concentration from the batters as the day progresses.

Expert commentary

Expert analysis: Tongue’s pace and accuracy under floodlights could be crucial for England at the Gabba, while Hartley’s leadership helped the Lions claw back late in the day.

Summary

Day one ends with England Lions 30-0, trailing by 278 after the PM's XI posted 308-8 declared. The visitors showed resilience with a late-season spell of wickets and a pace-laden spell from Tongue that offers encouragement for the next Test. Potts and Hartley bowled well in support, and opening pair Haines and Gay will look to build a steady platform on day two as the goal remains to avoid a difficult chase at the Gabba.

Key insight: Pink-ball day-night formats can swing momentum quickly, and England’s pace options, led by Tongue, could be decisive at the Gabba. BBC Sport