England Lions Roar At County Ground
20 August 2013
England Lions relished every minute of their visit to Bristol, hammering Bangladesh A by 202 runs in the first of three unofficial one-day internationals.
A brilliant fourth-wicket stand of 225 in just 20 overs by Gary Ballance (115) and Luke Wright (143 not out) saw the Lions to 353-4 from their 50 overs after losing the toss.
Wright blasted 11 fours and 10 sixes in facing only 68 balls, while Ballance faced 89 deliveries, striking 10 fours and 4 sixes.
Wright later claimed 2-5 from his only over and Michael Carberry 2-2, also from one over, to wrap up the Bangladesh innings for 151 after economical bowling from Boyd Rankin, David Willey, Jamie Overton Danny Briggs and Ben Stokes.
The game was blessed by fine weather and provided excellent entertainment on another great day of international cricket at Nevil Road.
The other two matches in the series are at Taunton on Thursday and Saturday.
England’s limited overs coach, Ashley Giles, is coaching the side which includes three Lions debutants in a 12 man squad.
Young bowlers Overton (Somerset) and Willey (Northants) have both previously been through the Potential England Performance Programme (PEPP) with Overton also being part of the England Under 19 squad.
Overton and Willey are joined by Sussex paceman Chris Jordan who has enjoyed a fine county season in 2013 taking over 50 First Class wickets. Jordan has also been a part of the England Performance Programme in 2009 and the PEPP in 2008.
The squad also includes a number of players who have represented England at a senior level across different formats. These include the captain Wright, Briggs, Jos Buttler, Carberry, Stokes, Rankin and Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor.
England Lions Squad:
Luke Wright (Sussex) Capt
Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)
Danny Briggs (Hampshire)
Jos Buttler (Somerset)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Jamie Overton (Somerset)
Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
James Vince (Hampshire)
David Willey (Northamptonshire)
Tickets are available on the gate.
