THE England Lions is a pathway designed to give the best and the brightest of English cricketers their opportunity to shine in front of the people you want to impress.
For Jersey’s young phenom, a cool 53 not out for the Lions on debut in their 2-day pink ball match against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI sealed an 8 wicket victory at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, sharing an unbeaten 137 run partnership with Somerset superstar, James Rew.
This fixture is a traditional stalwart of England’s Ashes Tour down under. The Prime Minister’s XI is a side put together by Cricket Australia and is made up of professionals from around the country, both experienced and youthful, who have earned an opportunity to shine on a bigger stage than their usual Sheffield Shield exploits.
Cricket fans will recognise from that squad such names as former Australian Test batters Peter Handscomb and Nathan McSweeney, fast bowler Peter Siddle and current Aussie Ashes squad member, Sam Konstas.
Batting first, the Prime Minister’s XI opening duo of the aforementioned Konstas and bright young Victoria prospect Campbell Kellaway shared an opening stand of 85, with Kellaway going on to top score with an impressive 82 as the Aussie’s closed out the first day with a score of 308 for 8 declared.
As Day 2 arrived, England’s openers made light work of the PM attack in an opening flurry that saw both Emilio Gay and skipper Tom Haines fly pass 50.
Gay was retired hurt after a swift 56, bringing England golden boy Jacob Bethell to the crease, who was hoping for some time in the middle to boost his chances of a first team call up.
However, he made only 16, and with Haines removed LBW for 77, Rew was joined in the middle by Tribe, the score at 172 for 2.
In a typically calm and controlled display from the rapidly improving Glamorgan and Jersey star, the pair took command and saw the game to it’s close, Rew finishing unbeaten on a stunning 92 from 123 balls and Tribe equally assured on 53 not out from 87 deliveries, which included 4 boundaries and the innings’ only maximum.
With England’s batters failing to meet the mark in the first Ashes Test in Perth last week, is it entirely out of the realms of possibility that we see Asa Tribe earning his first Test cap this series?
