Asa Tribe impressed once again in England colours, scoring a sparkling century for the Lions, in their eight wicket defeat against South Africa A.

Well behind in the game following a disappointing 157 in their first innings, followed by South Africa’s reply of 331, Tribe stroked 135 from 260 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and a single six.

The Glamorgan opener just missed out on a senior England call-up with Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay getting the nod.

Tribe, selected for the developmental Lions side, under the coaching eye of Andrew Flintoff, showed his class against an experienced South African bowling attack, especially in partnership with teenage starlet Ben Mayes.

Coming together at 133-4, still trailing SA A’s first innings score, Tribe and Hampshire batter Mayes put on 189 for the fifth wicket, before the Glamorgan man eventually fell leg before wicket to Dane Paterson.

“I definitely felt like it was tricky early on,” Tribe said.

“It seamed around with the new ball and they put it in the right spots. I felt like you really have to earn the right to get into your innings and face a few extra balls before you could feel in on that wicket.

“I looked to judge well and leave well, and then when they did come straight I would punish that.

“That was my game-plan early on. It was about getting through that tough period rather than looking to punish bad bowling or really try to get on top of the bowlers. Once I got through that I was more fluid.”

Their partnership gave the touring side a target of 215 to tackle after a pair of sensational centuries.

But half-centuries for Lesego Senokwane, Jordan Hermann and Zubayr Hamza meant that the South Africans secured the victory before lunch on the final day.

The two sides will play another four-day match at Beckenham, starting on Friday, ahead of three 50-over games.

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