Saturday, December 16th, 2017

Clarke Hoping To Gain Selection For Lions Tour Of West Indies

Joe Clarke will find out next week if he is to be selected for the England Lions tour to the West Indies in February and March.

The Worcestershire batsman will be keeping his fingers crossed that he is named in the squad when the selectors consider their options.

Clarke scored 15 off 18 balls as the Lions ended their Australian training camp with a six wicket defeat in the deciding T20 clash with Perth Scorchers.

The squad has flown home today (Saturday) for the festive season and then discover who will be chosen for the Caribbean series of three four-day games and a 50 over series.

The Scorchers lost the first game of the series but hit back to triumph 2-1 with the final T20 played at Western Australia Cricket Association’s Murdoch University ground after the teams had won one match each at the new Perth Stadium.

Clarke batted at number three after opening in the first two T20s with Alex Davies pushed to the top of the order.

The 21-year-old hit two boundaries before his dismissal.

Nick Gubbins made 34 off 14 balls and Keaton Jennings an undefeated 45 off 29 deliveries as the Lions totalled 163-7.

But the Scorchers made light work of their target with William Bassisto – 66 off 45 balls – Josh Philippe – 38 off 23 – and Ashton Turner – 31 off 16 – their main contributors.

The Scorchers were able to reach their target with 22 balls to spare.