England Lions take ‘Bazball’ approach as Alex Lees crashes century in Sri Lanka

Alex Lees cracked a 94-ball century as England Lions began their Sri Lankan tour with a performance straight out of the ‘Bazball’ playbook.
The Test team may recoil at the term, but the impact of their ultra attacking brand of cricket is already being felt as the second string scored at a fierce rate on day one of their warm-up match in Colombo.
The tourists declared on 413 for eight after just 67 overs at the crease, better than a run-a-ball over the course of the innings against a Sri Lanka President’s XI.

Lees, dropped by England after a lean summer, led the way with a knock of 103 as he struck 12 boundaries and two sixes.
The left-hander has vowed to prove he still has a place in the regime led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, despite a top score of just 67 from 10 Test caps, but actions such as these speak louder than any words.
His ton was the second fastest ever by an England batter at this level, with Luke Wright holding the record for a 91-ball effort in New Zealand in 2009.
Lions captain Haseeb Hameed was dismissed for a golden duck in the first over but the runs kept flowing as Tom Abell (57), Josh Bohannon (58), Jack Haynes (64no) and Jamie Smith (50) all made half-centuries as the hosts shuffled 10 bowlers in a game that will see both teams use full squads.
Surrey wicketkeeper-batter Smith needed just 35 balls to reach his fifty from number eight, making it the quickest by an Englishman at ‘A’ level.
The President’s XI reached 93 for two in 19.5 overs in reply, spinners Liam Patterson-White and Jack Carson both picking up a wicket.
Latest
-
England
Liam Livingstone praises England spinner Rehan Ahmed as ‘exceptional talent’
Ahmed has furthered his blossoming reputation against the West Indies by recording identical figures of 10-1-40-2 in two ODIs in Antigua.
-
England
Little bit of relief – Sam Curran and England bounce back in Antigua
Curran laid the groundwork for England’s six-wicket win.
-
England
Sam Curran and Jos Buttler return to form as England level series in Antigua
Chasing 203, Will Jacks put England into the ascendancy with a sparkling 73 off 72 balls.
-
England
Sam Curran finds form as England bowl out West Indies for 202
Curran took three big scalps days after enduring a tough time in the first ODI.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff set to return to England’s backroom staff for Windies T20 series
Flintoff first linked up with the national side in an unpaid role for ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland before the World Cup.
-
Women's Cricket
Danni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
England
Harry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's Cricket
Sophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
England
Rehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.