Jacob Bethell misses out as James Rew 92* leads England to victory
Tourists take honours on first innings but Bethell fails to press Test case
AAP
30-Nov-2025 • 4 hrs ago
James Rew led England home in their run chase • Getty Images
England XI 309 for 2 (Rew 92*, Haines 77, Gay 56*, Tribe 53*) beat Prime Minister's XI 308 for 8 dec (Kellaway 82, McSweeney 63, Peake 54) by eight wickets
Jacob Bethell missed a chance to push for a spot in England's top order, after failing to make an impression for the tourists in their win over a Prime Minister's XI.
With England's Test players sitting out the match, Bethell had loomed as the most interesting prospect in what was effectively a Lions side on Sunday.
But he was caught behind for 16 pushing at a ball outside off stump from South Australian quick Campbell Thompson, as the only tourist who batted not to pass 50.
It came as England lost just two wickets as they chased down the hosts' 308 for 8 declared in Canberra, shaking hands at 309 for 2 and claiming a first-innings victory.
Openers Tom Haines and Emelio Gay both hit half-centuries against the pink ball, as did No. 4 James Rew and No. 5 Asa Tribe.
The one concern for the tourists was a hamstring injury for Gay, who was forced to retire hurt in the first session on Sunday.
Bethell, meanwhile, had arrived in Australia battling with Ollie Pope for a spot in England's Test team.
Pope was the preferred option and was close to England's best batter in Perth, while Bethell has made scores of 3, 77 and 40 for the Lions in the past fortnight.
The left-hander is still likely next in line if a tourist goes down, but a sizeable score in Canberra could have put pressure on if England's batting fails again in the second Test at the Gabba.
The Prime Minister's XI used eight bowlers on Sunday with even Sam Konstas sending down one over, with Charlie Anderson taking 1-51 and Thompson 1-46.