England Lions completed a comfortable eight-wicket victory over the Prime Minister's XI in their two-day tour match at Manuka Oval, Canberra. Somerset's James Rew (92 not out) and Glamorgan's Asa Tribe (53 not out) guided the Lions to their target of 309 with an unbroken 137-run partnership, overshadowing Jacob Bethell's failure to capitalize on his opportunity to stake a claim for a place in England's Test side.
Lions Chase Down Total with Ease
Resuming on 30-0, the Lions made steady progress on the second day after agreeing with the PM XI to turn the game into a one-innings affair. Tom Haines (77) and Emilio Gay (56) extended their opening stand to 114 before Gay retired hurt, feeling his hamstring while taking a run. Haines continued to score freely before falling, leaving the Lions at 172-2. However, Rew and Tribe ensured there were no further hiccups, combining assuredly to see their side home in the final session.
Bethell's Missed Opportunity
Jacob Bethell, the spare batter in England's Test squad, was one of three players released to gain match practice in this pink-ball warm-up. However, the 22-year-old failed to seize his chance, falling for just 16 after being caught behind off left-armer Campbell Thompson. His dismissal represented a missed opportunity to impress the England management ahead of crucial Ashes tests.
PM XI's Promising Start
The PM XI had earlier posted 308-8 declared on the first day, with Kellaway (82), McSweeney (63) and Peake (54) contributing solid scores. Matthew Potts was the pick of the Lions' bowlers, claiming 2-40, while Josh Tongue bowled with pace and control but went wicketless.
Haines' Positive Assessment
Lions captain Tom Haines expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance. "That was a great performance from all of the lads. We haven't played a lot of pink-ball cricket between us but that didn't show in the way we played," he said. "It was good to chip in with the ball and then to make some runs myself. The bowlers turned it around last night and then all our batters showed their quality to reach that target."
Conditions and Context
Despite the upcoming second Test also being a pink-ball match, the value of this particular warm-up for England's Test batters is debatable. The match was played in a relaxed atmosphere, far removed from the intensity expected at the Gabba. The PM XI's attack, apart from the experienced Peter Siddle, was relatively inexperienced. Furthermore, the weather conditions in Canberra were significantly different from those expected in Brisbane, with temperatures reaching only 12 degrees Celsius at the end of the game.
Tongue's Promising Display
Josh Tongue, despite going wicketless, enjoyed a solid workout on the first day, bowling with control and pace in his 16 overs. He was unlucky not to pick up a wicket, with two catches being dropped off his bowling.
Bethell's Dismissal in Detail
Bethell made a comfortable start against the off-spin of Nathan McSweeney and the experienced Siddle, hitting two boundaries off the latter. However, he then pushed at a ball in the channel outside off-stump against the tall left-arm pace bowler Campbell Thompson and feathered a low catch through to wicketkeeper Joel Curtis. This dismissal highlights his recent struggles, having passed fifty only once in his last nine innings.
