England Lions suffered a batting collapse early on Monday against Australia A in Brisbane, handing the hosts an innings victory.
Asa Tribe century not enough for England Lions to prevent innings defeat
Heading into the final day of the one-off first-class match, the Lions were 274-6 in their second innings at the Allan Border Field with Asa Tribe (114*) and Matthew Fisher (0*) at the batting crease, soon after Thomas Rew had been dismissed for 47.
The pair resumed this morning, with their side still trailing by 148 runs. There was a chance, however small, that the Lions could bat out the day for a draw, or at least long enough to make the hosts bat again with little chance to knock off a target.
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As it happened, it was anything but. Fisher was caught behind off Todd Murphy after adding just one run. No.9 Nathan Gilchrist lasted 18 balls before the Test-capped Jhye Richardson had him caught behind as well.
Shoaib Bashir then also played 19 balls, but Xavier Bartlett accounted for him and last man Josh Hull off consecutive deliveries to wrap up the innings for 295, handing the Lions a loss by an innings and 127 runs. Tribe remained not out on 129, while Fergus O'Neill took 4-53.
One-off unofficial Test, Australia A vs England Lions
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Earlier in the innings, the standout partnership came between Tribe and Jacob Bethell, who put on 169 for the fourth wicket before Bethell was dismissed for 71. Apart from Tribe, Bethell and Rew, no batter crossed 20.
The first two innings of the match were one-way traffic, as Jhye Richardson's four-for against the backdrop of Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood's latest injury setback helped bowl the Lions out for 166. Nathan McSweeney then scored an unbeaten 226, which, along with fifties from Campbell Kellaway (71), Cooper Connolly (88) and Bartlett (83) helped the hosts rack up 588-8.
