McClenaghan flattens England Lions

England Lions found Mitchell McClenaghan's pace too hot to handle as they were bowled out on the first day of the two-day clash against New Zealand Emerging Players at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. In reply, captain Tim McIntosh and Josh Brodie safely negotiated the seven overs to guide the home team through to stumps.

After choosing to bat, England Lions lost openers Joe Denly and Robert Key early. While Denly was bowled by McClenaghan for a duck, Lance Shaw had Key, the England Lions captain, caught behind for 4. Shaw then trapped Jonathan Trott lbw to leave the visitors at 8 for 3.

An 87-run partnership between Stephen Moore and Samit Patel steadied the innings. Stephen Moore scored a half-century, hitting 10 boundaries in his 92-ball innings. But once he departed with the score on 101 for 5, England Lions lost wickets at regular intervals. McClenghan was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up the next three wickets to fall - Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright and wicketkeeper Ben Scott.

Gareth Batty then boosted England Lions' score with a belligerent knock at No. 9 . He was involved in two important partnerships - putting on 43 in a ninth-wicket stand with Liam Plunkett (17) and adding 64 for the final wicket with Sajid Mahmood (29). McClenaghan wrapped up the innings by bowling Batty, ending up with a well-deserved five-for.