Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Coughlin took 3-33 to help England Lions to an emphatic nine-wicket T20 victory over a Western Australia XI.

He continued his good form after hitting 64 in a 50-over game against the same opponents by leading the attack in the first of four T20 fixtures that will complete the squad’s four-week training camp.

The hosts batted first and were restricted to a total of 156-5 as Coughlin dismissed WA's top scorers Josh Philippe, who made 36, and Clint Hinchliffe, who scored 21, with Liam Livingstone and Saqib Mahmood also among the wickets.

The Lions then cruised past their victory target at the Murdoch University ground with seven balls to spare as Joe Clarke relished the chance to open with Ben Duckett, smashing an unbeaten 92 from 51 balls in hitting 13 fours and three sixes.

He received good support from Duckett’s 38 off 39 balls, and then from Essex’s Dan Lawrence, who ended with 28 not out from 23 in his first captain’s innings for the Lions – having been appointed to lead the team for the first time.

“We were a bit rusty in the 50-over game we played against WA the other day, but today was a much better performance,” said Lions and England batting coach Graham Thorpe.

“I thought we bowled very well, recognising the need to take pace off the ball, and delivering to the right place.

“Then Clarkey came out and timed the ball really well. He’s opened for Worcestershire in T20 cricket and it’s good to be able to give the guys the chance to play where they do for their counties. And it was good to see him there at the end – that’s something we try to drill into the lads.

“Dan Lawrence was probably a bit surprised to be asked to captain, but Andy Flower likes to share it around – and I thought he did really well.”

The Lions’ remaining T20 matches will all be against the Perth Scorchers, as Justin Langer’s squad prepare for the Big Bash – the first two at the new 55,000-capacity Perth Stadium.

Meanwhile, Jake Ball is in the England senior side to face a Cricket Australia team on Saturday and Sunday (9-10 December) in a warm-up game.

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