Captain Jennings praises ruthless Lions as
Keaton Jennings ENGLAND Lions captain Keaton Jennings praised his team’s ruthless and selfless performance after they had completed a crushing 257-run victory against South Africa A in the four-day unofficial Test at Canterbury.
Essex bowler Jamie Porter helped guide the Lions to victory after the tourists resumed on 29 for four, with Somerset fast bowler Jamie Overton having claimed three for 22 late on day three, as they chased a formidable victory target of 412. It took only 36 overs for Keaton Jennings’ side to finish off their opponents, who were bowled out for 154.
Temba Bavuma and Heinrich Klaasen had returned to the crease looking to stave off the home attack.
However, after some resistance, Bavuma was removed lbw by new bowler Sam Curran for 33 and with him went any realistic hope of South Africa A, five down for 92, seeing out the day.
Despite a couple of rain delays which meant an early lunch, the Lions pushed through the lower order as Porter bowled Willem Mulder for one and Klaasen was then trapped lbw for 43 by the Essex man two balls later.
Beuran Hendricks added 12 and Dane Piedt a defiant 31 before victory was confirmed just before 3pm when Duanne Olivier was out lbw to Dan Lawrence for eight.
Porter finished with three for 47, giving him six wickets overall, while Overton had three for 36 to complete his five-for match haul.
“There were a couple of periods in the match, with both bat and ball, where we saw some outstanding and selfless cricket from a number of our guys – which when you are a side that has just come together is something you don’t often see,” said Durham’s Jennings.
“I can’t speak too highly of the way the team played over the four days. The key to the size of the win