Mullaney stars but England Lions lose fourth limited-overs game to India A by six wickets

Steven Mullaney scored an unbeaten run-a-ball 50 and took 1/26 in 10 overs but the England Lions went down to India A by six wickets in the fourth limited-overs game against India A.

The Lions battled back from 55/4 as Sam Billings (24) and Ollie Pope (65) put on 58 for the fifth wicket. Pope then combined with Mullaney (58*), adding 63 before being sharply run out by KL Rahul, one of four players in the Indian side to have recent Test match experience.

Mullaney stuck around with the tail to take England to 221/8 from their 50 overs.

England struck early once again in the Indian innings, with Will Jacks snagging a sharp chance off Lewis Gregory to remove Ruturaj Gaikwad in the second over. His fellow opener Rahul (42) was joined by big-hitter Ricky Bhui (35) to add 59 before Bhui fell to Mullaney.

Jacks removed both Rahul and captain Ankit Bawne (12) in a very tidy spell of 10-0-35-2 to bring India’s latest cricketing starlet Rishabh Pant and Deepak Hooda to the crease, who added an unbroken 120 partnership to close the game. Pant’s measured 73* was contrasted by Hooda’s free-hitting 47* to take the home side over the line.

The fifth and final match of the series takes place on Thursday.