'England's no.1 spinner' goes for 0/115 as Lions lose to Australia A by an innings and 127 runs less than 24 hours after Gabba defeat

Bad news after bad news follow for England camp as England Lions received a thrashing at the hands of Australia A in Brisbane. On the final day of four-day affair, England Lions could not salvage a draw despite Asa Tribe's unbeaten 129. While Jacob Bethell showed some signs of improvement with a 71-run knock, ‘England’s no.1 spinner’ claimed by Ben Stokes, young Shoaib Bashir remained wicketless from 25 overs.

After England Lions captain Tom Haines won the toss and opted to bat first, they were bowled out for 166 in 50 overs. Jhye Richardson starred with a four-wicket haul while Xavier Bartlett and Todd Murphy picked up two wickets each.

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Australia A skipper led from the front with an unbeaten 226 to sent selectors a timely reminder. He had help from opener Campbell Kellaway (71), Cooper Connolly (88) and Xavier Bartlett (83) as the hosts posted 588/8 in 133 overs. Nathan Gilchrist claimed four wickets whereas Josh Hull bagged three. Bashir bowled a total of 25 overs and conceded 115 runs. He could not get a breakthrough. Bethell bowled 12 overs and got the wicket of Bartlett who smashed five sixes in his 78-ball 83.

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With Australia A taking a 422-run lead, it was an uphill task for the visitors. Fergus O Neill struck thrice with the new ball as England Lions lost three wickets for 29 runs. Tribe and Bethell showed promise with a 169-run partnership for the fourth wicket. O Neill broke the partnership with the wicket of Bethell. He scored 71 runs from 154 balls. It is to be noted that Bethell is yet to score a first-class century. The 22-year-old is supposed to be Ollie Pope's backup for the no.3 spot.

England Lions lost half the side for 199. Wicketkeeper-batter Rew and Tribe shared a 74-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Ryan Hadley dismissed Rew who scored 47 runs from 61 balls. Like the senior side, England Lions could not bat time either to salvage a draw. Tribe ran out of partners as England Lions were bowled out for 295 in 87.4 overs, losing the match by an innings and 127 runs. Tribe scored 129 runs from 195 balls, featuring 14 fours.

After the defeat in the pink-ball Test, Stokes said that Australia “isn’t a place for weak men” but the team is not showing no signs of strength. With two defeats in a row, Stokes-led side will be searching for answers ahead of third Test at Adelaide Oval, starting on December 17. Bashir hasn't played a single Test in the series while he was touted by Stokes and the team management as a player pivotal to England's success in Ashes 2025-26.