Jacob Bethell disappoints but James Rew stars with bat as England Lions cruise to win over Prime Minister's XI in Ashes practice match in Canberra
Published 30/11/2025 at 12:21 GMT
England Lions faced the Prime Minister's XI in an Ashes practice match in Canberra, with Jacob Bethell in particular looking to stake a claim for a place in the first team for upcoming Ashes Tests. Instead, James Rew was the outstanding batter, while captain Tom Haines also impressed as the tourists secured a dominant victory in the Australian capital.
Anderson says England ‘didn’t learn’ from first innings as Rainford-Brent questions preparation
Video credit: TNT Sports
James Rew impressed but Jacob Bethell struggled as England Lions beat the Prime Minister's XI by eight wickets in Canberra.
After the hosts declared on 308-8 - thanks to an excellent 82 by opener Campbell Kellaway and half-centuries from Nathan McSweeney and Oliver Peake - England immediately looked assured in their pursuit.
Emilio Gay and Tom Haines forged a strong opening partnership to take the visitors beyond 100 without loss, although the former retired hurt having made 56 from 61 balls.
In came Bethell at No. 3, keen to impress and perhaps force his way into Ben Stokes' plans for upcoming Tests in the NRMA Insurance men's Ashes series. But he underwhelmed, managing just 16 runs before he was caught behind by Joel Curtis after edging a delivery from Campbell Thompson.
Bethell was the man to watch from an England perspective, given he has been on the periphery of the first team.
Instead, it was Haines who shone as the sun began to set in Canberra, looking classy and on course for a century, until he was caught lbw by Charlie Anderson on 77 from 101 deliveries.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/23/image-9ed6532a-b83b-4f84-b56d-614cc9d1389a-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'That's what I'd do' - Cook outlines plan for England's batters to rebound in Brisbane
Video credit: TNT Sports
But his knock had put England in a commanding position, and another strong partnership between 21-year-old pair James Rew and Asa Tribe saw England comfortably reach their target with wickets to spare.
Rew's 92 off 123 balls was particularly eye-catching. The Somerset wicket-keeper batter outlined his significant potential, hitting several classy boundaries and falling just short of a century.
Tribe, meanwhile, hit the only six of the innings and finished on 53 not out.
- Stokes accepts criticism but says accusations of arrogance go 'too far'
- Should England have got match practice ahead of second Test against Australia?
It was a day to forget for the Prime Minister's XI bowling attack. Anderson was the pick of the pace bowlers, which included 41-year-old Peter Siddle, who did not take a wicket from his seven overs.
"That was a great performance from all of the lads. We haven't played a lot of pink-ball cricket between us but that didn't show in the way we played," Haines said.
"It was good to chip in with the ball and then to make some runs myself. The bowlers turned it around last night and then all our batters showed their quality to reach that target."
Watch and stream top cricket action, including the 2025/26 Ashes series, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement