Cricket News: Take Away from British Lions' performance VS South Africa

The England Lions' mirrored the performance of the senior side under Brendon McCullum as they piled up a mammoth first-innings total of 672. Dan Lawrence (97), Harry Brook (140), Ben Duckett (145) and Sam Billings (92) put forward a swashbuckling knock with their willow to soar the total to 672. 

South Africa batted twice and still fell 56 runs short of the first inning total of England Lions. Craig Overton picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, leaving the field after a back injury. Returning, Ollie Robinson finished with 3 for 29 in 11 overs in the second innings with an impressive dismissal of Rassie van der Dussen. 

Both players, Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson, may be fighting for the third seamer's spot in England's test XI - currently held by the English summer's most significant find in the form of Matthew Potts.

Spin bowlers Dan Lawrence, Liam Patterson and Sam Conner, were clinical in winding up tail-enders of South Africa to bundle them at 183 in the second inning.

South Africa might still be happy with their work in the warm-up match. Their lower-middle order dragged them out from a difficult position by taking the total from 129/5 in the first innings to 433 as Khaya Zondo (86), Kyle Verreynne (62), Rassie van der Dussen (75), and Marco Jansen (54) contributing heavily. 

Aiden Markram was the only batter in the second inning to make the most of the chance to score an unbeaten 88. Apart from him, none of the batters could cross even the 20-run mark. 

With a lot to introspect for Proteas, England looks to have found plenty of options for future players from England Lions. 

Harry Brooks: Harry Brooks has emerged as one of the strongest contenders to make it to the batting rank for England after his spectacular innings at the County and international levels. 

Former South African player Faf du Plessis remarked, "He reminds me of AB de Villiers."

If anyone in England's top six could be vulnerable to losing his spot to Harry Brook, it would be Zak Crawley. Although Zak Crawley is an opener and Harry Brook prefers middle order, the batter now himself feels he is capable of opening the game for England. 

Craig Overton- In the warm-up match, Craig Overton made full use of the opportunity to impress coach Brendon McCullum. The six-foot-five bowler loves hitting the surface hard and bowls at a line that's troubling for batters. He has consistently taken wickets and adds value by being handy with the bat down the order. 

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