The second-string England Lions side completed a remarkable innings win over South Africa just five days before the First Test at Lord’s.
The Lions returned on the fourth and final day of the fixture, which was not first-class because of South Africa’s desire to trial more than 11 players ahead of the Test, and picked up the remaining seven wickets they needed for victory. The final margin was an innings and 56 runs.
That was despite Craig Overton, who is in England’s squad for the First Test, leaving the field with a back injury during the morning session.
On the last day, the wickets were shared, with the returning Ollie Robinson, who finished with five for the match, picking up Rassie van der Dussen in the morning.
There was a wicket apiece for spinners Dan Lawrence and Liam Patterson-White before he promising quick Sam Conners, of Derbyshire, blew away the tail to finish with figures of four for 23 on Lions debut.
South Africa had racked up 433 having chosen to bat first, before the Lions responded with a superb 672, ticking along at 5.74 an over in fast-scoring conditions (there was one short boundary and a scorched outfield).
Dan Lawrence made 97 and Sam Billings 92, but it was centurions Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, who put on 191, who did much of the damage.
