DBD and Billings contribute to Lions tri-series win
Tuesday 19th July 2016
Kent duo Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Billings made contributions as England Lions beat Pakistan A in the tri-series opener at Cheltenham.
Northants debutant Ben Duckett’s century saw the hosts home after Test bowler Mark Wood earlier took three wickets for Test bowler Mark Wood and Billings claimed two catches.
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The 21-year-old Kent-born left-hander sealed the victory in the 37th over by sweeping his fourth six to end unbeaten on 163 from 104 balls, having also hit 24 fours.
He came in with the Lions on 5 for 1 in reply to Pakistan’s 244 after losing their captain Dawid Malan, but dominated partnerships of 68 with Bell-Drummond who score 22, 116 with Joe Clarke and an unbroken 59 with Sam Billings.
The platform was laid by a fine fightback from the Lions bowlers, who shared the last six Pakistan wickets for 53 after powerful opener Sharjeel Khan hit a century as a Festival crowd of around 3,000 broiled in the sun.
Surrey’s Tom Curran led the way with four for 39, and Wood as he continues his comeback after ankle surgery, earning figures of 10-1-27-3.
Pakistan had won the opening fixture in the six-match Tri-Series against Sri Lanka A in Cheltenham on Monday, so the Lions have the chance to go top of the table at the halfway stage when they face the Sri Lankans in a day-night match in Northampton on Thursday before travelling to Kent this weekend.