Four Englishmen scored half-centuries in a first-innings win over the PM's XI, but their back-up Test batter was the one to miss out
Match Report:
ScorecardEngland ease to PM's XI win but back-up bat misses out
Jacob Bethell has missed a chance to push for a spot in England's top order, after failing to make an impression for the tourists in their win over a Prime Minister's XI.
With England's Test players sitting out the match, Bethell had loomed as the most interesting prospect in what was effectively a Lions side on Sunday.
But he was caught behind for 16 pushing at a ball outside off stump from South Australian quick Campbell Thompson, as the only tourist who batted not to pass 50.
It came as England lost just two wickets as they chased down the hosts' 8-308 declared in Canberra, shaking hands at 2-309 and claiming a first-innings victory.
Openers Tom Haines (77) and Emelio Gay (56no) both hit half-centuries against the pink ball, as did No.4 James Rew (92no) and No.5 Asa Tribe (53no).
"(Rew) has scored a lot of runs in county cricket as well so he just seems to be a bit of a run machine," PM's XI captain Peter Handscomb said post-match.
"I thought his knock today was very impressive; he dealt with the short ball well; he dealt with the spin well and then was just able to pick off the good balls as well.
"So it looks like he's got a nice all-round game."
The one concern for the visitors was a hamstring injury for Gay, who was forced to retire hurt in the first session on Sunday.
Bethell, meanwhile, had arrived in Australia battling with Ollie Pope for a spot in England's Test team.
Pope was the preferred option and was close to England's best batter in Perth, while Bethell has made scores of 3, 77 and 40 for the Lions in the past fortnight.
The left-hander is still likely next in line if England require batting reinforcements during the Ashes, but a sizeable score in Canberra could have put the pressure on if their batting fails again in the second Test at the Gabba.
The Prime Minister's XI used eight bowlers on Sunday with even Sam Konstas sending down one over. Charlie Anderson (1-51) and Thompson (1-46) were the only successful ones across the 66.3 overs the English batted.