LONDON: England’s second-string Lions rounded off a commanding innings win over the South African tourists at Canterbury on Friday — just five days before the first Test at Lord’s.

The match, which was not first-class because South Africa wanted to give a run out to more than 11 players ahead of the opening fixture of a three-Test series, saw the Lions take the final seven wickets they needed for victory as they won by an innings and 56 runs.

This win was achieved despite Craig Overton, who took five wickets in the first innings and is in England’s squad for the first Test, leaving the field with a back injury during Friday’s morning session.

In his absence, the wickets on the final day of four were shared, with Ollie Robinson, recalled to the England squad for the South Africa series, removing Rassie van der Dussen in the morning to finish with five for the match.

Spin bowlers Dan Lawrence and Liam Patterson-White and promising Derbyshire quick Sam Conners polished off the tail, the latter finishing with figures of 4-23, as the South Africans slumped to 183 all out.

Aidan Markram was the only batter to make the most of his chance for some time in the middle, scoring a measured 88 not out.

Earlier, in the match Harry Brook (140) and Ben Duckett (145) were the major contributors as the Lions made a mammoth 672 in reply to the tourists’ first innings 433.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022