England Lions achieved the highest List A team total in their history on Monday, posting a massive 487-5 from 50 overs in the second unofficial one-day international against West Indies A in St Kitts. The dominant performance paved the way for a convincing 276-run victory after the hosts were bowled out for 211 in Basseterre.
Record-Breaking Batting Display
The record total was anchored by explosive centuries from Durham opener Ben McKinney and wicketkeeper-batter James Rew. McKinney led the initial surge by scoring 145 off just 65 deliveries, hitting 15 boundaries and 10 sixes. Rew contributed an unbeaten 107 from 56 balls, striking 15 fours and two sixes.
The Lions’ total of 487-5 surpassed their previous List A benchmark of 425-1, set a decade ago against Sri Lanka A at Canterbury. In that 2014 match, current senior international Ben Duckett accumulated an unbeaten 220 alongside Daniel Bell-Drummond’s 171, following the early dismissal of Dawid Malan for 23.
Both star batters on Monday brought senior international context to their performances. McKinney had previously been considered for a Test call-up earlier in the summer when Zak Crawley was left out, though his Durham teammate Emilio Gay ultimately received the selection. Rew made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Kia Oval in June while fulfilling wicketkeeping duties in place of Jamie Smith, who was on paternity leave.
The pair, along with the rest of the top order, scored heavily against a West Indies A attack featuring international pace bowler Oshane Thomas, who has featured in 46 white-ball games for his senior national side.
Dominant Bowling and Tour Record
In addition to the main centurions, Lions captain Dan Lawrence—who features in the senior England Test squad for the upcoming winter tour of South Africa—contributed 76 runs from 56 balls. Hampshire’s Ben Mayes added an unbeaten 58 off 46 deliveries, while Thomas Rew, the younger brother of James, scored 22 runs.
Defending the total, Hampshire fast bowler Eddie Jack led the attack by taking five wickets to dismantle the West Indies A lineup. Glamorgan leg-spinner Mason Crane supported the effort by claiming three wickets as the home team fell well short at 211.
The victory keeps the Lions undefeated on their tour, extending their winning streak to five matches following a 3-0 sweep in the preceding T20 series and establishing a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. The remaining three 50-over games will also take place in St Kitts, scheduled for Wednesday, Saturday, and next Monday.
Several tour participants will soon transition to senior duty, with Jack, Thomas Rew, and James Coles selected as uncapped players in England’s T20 international squad to face Australia in a five-match series beginning November 21 in Melbourne.
