England Lions win pink-ball warm-up as Bethell fails to impress
England Lions beat the Prime Minister's XI by eight wickets in a Canberra pink-ball warm-up at Manuka Oval, with Bethell scoring 16 as the chase reached 309 for victory.
Two-day pink-ball warm-up, Manuka Oval, Canberra (day two)
Prime Minister's XI 308-8 declared: Kellaway 82, McSweeney 63, Peake 54; Potts 2-40 for England Lions
England Lions 309-2: Rew 92*, Haines 77, Tribe 53*
England Lions won by eight wickets
Scorecard
England Lions failed to give Jacob Bethell the big run he needed to press for a Test place, as he scoring 16 before being dismissed by left-arm pacer Campbell Thompson.
The two-day match moved into a one-innings format on day two, with the Lions chasing 309 to win at Manuka Oval. They began 30-0 and rode an opening stand from Tom Haines (77) and Emilio Gay (56) before Gay retired hurt with a hamstring issue.
Bethell came in at number three and struck two boundaries before his exit. Captain Haines fell not long after, leaving the Lions 172-2, but James Rew (92 not out) and Asa Tribe (53 not out) steadied the innings with an unbroken 137-run partnership to seal the target in the final session.
The PM XI had posted 308-8 declared on the opening day, with Potts finishing the match with 2-40 and Tongue not taking a wicket.
Player reflections and team context
England captain Tom Haines said the squad adapted well to pink-ball cricket, despite limited preparation, highlighting strong contributions from both bowlers and batters as the run chase came to a successful conclusion.
Expert commentary
Simon Mann, Test Match Special commentator in Canberra, notes that while this was a friendly workout for pink-ball cricket, it offered practical insights rather than a definitive test of form. He cites Rew and Tribe’s late partnership as evidence of depth in England’s batting lineup.
Summary
The Canberra warm-up delivered a productive workout in pink-ball conditions, with the Lions overcoming Bethell’s modest score to chase down 309. Rew’s 92* and Tribe’s 53* anchored a decisive finish, while Tongue and Potts provided bowling support. It was a useful preparation ahead of upcoming Test opportunities.
Key takeaway: Bethell’s 16 was not enough to secure a Test spot, but Rew and Tribe demonstrated depth in England’s batting as the Lions closed out the run chase in pink-ball conditions. BBC Sport