England Lions suffer 60-run loss to India A in third ODI

England Lions were defeated by 60 runs as India A sealed the ODI series victory in the third limited-overs game in Trivandrum.

The Lions’ bowlers were miserly and picked up regular wickets as India A were bowled out for 172 in 47 overs. 

Lewis Gregory dismissed captain Ajinkya Rahane with the first ball of the match, as the batsman shouldered arms to an off-cutter and was given out LBW. Gregory’s Somerset teammate Jamie Overton picked up three wickets including KL Rahul, who was playing his first match since his suspension.

Spinners Danny Briggs and Matt Carter combined for just 45 runs in their 20 overs, with Carter taking two wickets on an impressive Lions debut.

England endured a poor start with the bat, falling to 23/3 before Ben Duckett (39) and Ollie Pope (27) steadied the ship. The pair put on 47 for the fourth wicket but Pope’s dismissal started a run of four wickets for eight runs in the Lions’ middle-order.

Krunal Pandya took 4/21 to take the game away from the Lions, with two matches remaining in the series

The fourth ODI in the five-match series takes place at the same ground on Tuesday.

Scorecard: www.ecb.co.uk/matches/10673

Quotes

Sam Billings – England Lions captain

“We’re very disappointed as it’s another game we should have won, as we should the first game. Over here, against a quality side, if you give them a sniff of a win they’ll take that opportunity, and that’s what we did today.

“I think the bowlers were exceptional for us today, but at as a batting unit it was poor. Lewis Gregory was brilliant with the new ball, and Jamie Overton came in and did really well. Danny Briggs showed his experience and [Matt] Carter came in and bowled fantastically well.”

Ben Duckett

“Chasing 174, I think we were favourites halfway through. Me and Ollie Pope were going well, it was positive and we didn’t look like getting out. Credit to the Indians; I think they bowled very well. The seamers and spinners both bowled straight and it was difficult to get away.”