England Lions THUMPED like their senior Ashes counterparts in 112-run defeat to Australia A

James Bracey’s battling century could not spare England Lions as they slumped to a 112-run defeat at the hands of Australia A in Brisbane.

Bracey’s 113 and a knock of 73 from wicket-keeper Ben Foakes as the pair put on 111 for the sixth wicket gave the tourists hope, but ultimately they could not get across the line after a difficult start to their second innings.

The Lions resumed at 136 for three on day four needing 324 more to reach their victory target of 460 with openers Alex Lees and Rob Yates, as well as Tom Abell already back in the pavilion.

England Lions slumped to a heavy defeat like the senior team, losing to Australia A by 112 runs

The chastening loss came despite England batter James Bracey scoring a battling century 

Bracey faced 295 balls in a patient innings, initially in partnership with Josh Bohannon, who made 51 before becoming Michael Neser’s seventh victim in the match.

However, it was he and Foakes who pushed on before Mark Steketee removed the former and Matt Renshaw the latter to signal the beginning of the end despite resistance from Dom Bess and Liam Norwell as England were all out for 347.

Neser, Steketee, Renshaw and Mitchell Swepson claimed two wickets each with Scott Boland and Nic Maddinson accounting for the remainder to seal a comfortable win for the home side, whose second innings total of 349 for four declared proved decisive.

England wicket-keeper Ben Foakes also scored a handy 73 but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat