487-run mountain! McKinney and Rew lead Lions to crushing victory
Key Points(5)
- England Lions produced a batting spectacle of extraordinary proportions before crushing West Indies A by 266 runs at Warner Park in St.
- Kitts on Monday night, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their five-match unofficial one-day international series.
- Powered by explosive centuries from Ben McKinney and James Rew, the visitors piled up 487 for five, the fifth-highest innings total in List A cricket history, before Hampshire fast bowler Eddie Jack dismantled the West Indies A batting lineup with a devastating five-wicket haul.
- The emphatic victory leaves the Lions firmly in control of the 50-over series following their 3-0 sweep of the preceding T20 leg.
- McKinney unleashes a remarkable assault McKinney set the tone with an extraordinary display of power hitting, racing to his second List A century in just 43 balls to establish a platform for the Lions' monumental total.
England Lions produced a batting spectacle of extraordinary proportions before crushing West Indies A by 266 runs at Warner Park in St. Kitts on Monday night, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their five-match unofficial one-day international series.
Powered by explosive centuries from Ben McKinney and James Rew, the visitors piled up 487 for five, the fifth-highest innings total in List A cricket history, before Hampshire fast bowler Eddie Jack dismantled the West Indies A batting lineup with a devastating five-wicket haul.
The emphatic victory leaves the Lions firmly in control of the 50-over series following their 3-0 sweep of the preceding T20 leg.
McKinney unleashes a remarkable assault
McKinney set the tone with an extraordinary display of power hitting, racing to his second List A century in just 43 balls to establish a platform for the Lions' monumental total.
The 22-year-old Durham left-hander, who recently secured an England development contract, demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the country's most promising batting prospects.
After Thomas Rew provided an aggressive start, striking two boundaries through point before launching a six over the leg side in Jakeem Pollard's opening over, McKinney took charge of the scoring.
He reached his half-century from just 27 deliveries as England Lions surged to 107 for one after 10 overs. His assault intensified against left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes, whose first two overs cost 39 runs.
McKinney deposited Lawes for five sixes, including one massive strike that cleared the ground and another that smashed a window. Even a reprieve on 90, when Jyd Goolie dropped him at long-on, did little to slow his charge.
He brought up his hundred by punching Oshane Thomas through cover for four, completing what is believed to be the second-fastest List A century by an Englishman. Only Graham Rose's 36-ball hundred for Somerset against Devon in the 1990 NatWest Trophy has been faster.
McKinney eventually departed for a blistering 145 from 65 deliveries, caught at deep square leg off Jediah Blades.
Rew delivers another century as Lions accelerate
While McKinney supplied the early fireworks, Rew ensured the innings finished with an equally spectacular flourish.
The 22-year-old Somerset left-hander continued his outstanding form in St. Kitts, following his match-winning century in the opening one-day international with another unbeaten hundred.
Rew, who made his Test debut at The Oval earlier this year, has endured an uncertain period in England's selection picture after missing out on a development contract. However, his performances have provided a timely reminder of his considerable batting ability.
After Oshane Thomas removed Thomas Rew for 22, McKinney dominated the first half of the innings, with Dan Lawrence providing valuable support.
Lawrence, captaining the Lions, struck an impressive 76 from 56 balls at No. 4, while Rehan Ahmed and James Coles also featured before the innings reached 321 for five in the 35th over.
Rather than allowing the scoring rate to diminish, Rew and Ben Mayes launched a devastating counterattack.
The pair added an unbroken 166 runs for the sixth wicket, with Mayes contributing a powerful half-century and Rew taking the assault to its conclusion.
Rew reached his century from just 55 deliveries and finished unbeaten on 107, dramatically clearing the boundary with the final two deliveries of the innings to carry England Lions to 487 for five.
His back-to-back centuries have further strengthened his case for a place in England's long-term plans.
Jack tears through West Indies A
West Indies A made a promising start to their daunting chase, reaching 143 for one after 19 overs and briefly suggesting they could offer meaningful resistance.
However, the dismissal of Kirk McKenzie triggered a spectacular collapse.
McKenzie, who had scored 67, was removed by an outstanding diving catch from McKinney at mid-on, giving Jack the opening he needed to launch his assault on the middle order.
The Hampshire fast bowler capitalized ruthlessly, ripping through the home team's batting lineup to finish with five wickets for 42 runs from just six overs.
Mason Crane then helped clean up the tail as West Indies A's challenge unravelled, leaving the hosts with a crushing 266-run defeat.
Lions tighten their grip on the tour
The result underlines England Lions' dominance across both formats, having already completed a 3-0 whitewash in the T20 series.
They now hold a 2-0 advantage in the five-match one-day contest, with the third match scheduled for Wednesday.
Following that fixture, Thomas Rew, Jack and James Coles are due to leave the Caribbean tour and travel to Australia for England's T20 international commitments.
