Tribe staking England claim with Lions share

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Tribe staking England claim with Lions shareImage source, Rex FeaturesImage caption, Batter Asa Tribe's previous stint with Paarl Royals is serving him well against South Africa APublished2 hours agoFirst four-day match, Arundel, day threeEngland Lions: 157 (Smith 4-52) & 322-5 (Tribe 135)South Africa A: 331(Ackerman 173; Stanley 3-77)ScorecardAsa Tribe continued to stake his claim for a senior England call-up by holding together England Lions' second innings against South Africa A. Skittled out for 157 in the first innings after opting to bat first, they faced an uphill task at the Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground after South Africa A posted 331. Tribe and fellow opener Ben McKinney made an encouraging start to the second innings, but McKinney's departure for 32 saw a steady fall of wickets as the Lions finished on 218-4 overnight.

Standing firm though was Glamorgan's Jersey-born batter Tribe, the 22-year-old ending the day unbeaten on 88 before turning that into a century - finally falling for 135 - on Sunday as he and wicket-keeper Ben Mayes dug in. "I definitely felt like it was tricky early on. It seamed around with the new ball and they put it in the right spots," Tribe said.

The Details

"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. "Tribe is developing the nice habit of scoring heavily once he gets his eye in.

Last September he hit his maiden double century in first class cricket for Glamorgan against Northamptonshire, while earlier in 2025 he hit three centuries in the space of a week for Jersey in the ICC Challenge League against Papua New Guinea. Given his chance by England Lions last year, Tribe impressed with an unbeaten 129 in defeat to Australia A in Brisbane last December and kept his place in the squad for the two four-day matches against South Africa A. Crocombe and Stanley lead young Lions pace picks Published15 MayTribe closer to England ambition after Lions call-up Published1 October 2025Impressing Key to knock on England's doorTribe has made no secret of his ambition to play for England, and as the selectors try to find a long-term opening combination he has quietly gone about stating his case.

What Experts Say

Despite playing internationally for Jersey, he can represent England as they are full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), rather than his home island which is an associate member. "I feel like my batting is in a good spot. It isn't in an amazing spot but it isn't in a bad spot.

It is somewhere in the middle, probably better than average side," he said.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.