Image source, Rex FeaturesImage caption, Batter Asa Tribe's previous stint with Paarl Royals is serving him well back in South Africa
- Published40 minutes ago
Asa 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, the tourists 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 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.
"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.
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Tribe 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.
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.
"It was nice to get a little mention at the start of the year to be part of the Test stuff and I do want to push that for sure. When my time comes, I'll be ready. Right now isn't the time that the England guys see that, so that is fine.
"I spoke to (England managing director) Rob Key yesterday and he mentioned that my name was in the hat and in the discussions. That was great to hear and tells me I am doing all the right things.
"It isn't to be at the moment but who knows, a big hundred here and I might be knocking on the door."
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Have bat, will travel
If Tribe does realise his ambition and become the first Glamorgan player since Simon Jones in 2005 to play for England, it will have come off the back of a willingness to pack his bags and head for wherever there were opportunities to play and improve.
He had never played a game outside of Jersey until he left the island to study in Cardiff when he was 18, but joined Glamorgan on a rookie contract in 2023 before signing an improved deal last year.
Since then, his travels have taken Tribe to the National Cricket League in Texas, a stint in Adelaide playing Grade cricket, then onto a Nepalese T20 competition, before he was picked up by Paarl Royals to play in the South African T20 tournament last winter - as well as getting a deal to play grade cricket in Australia.
His stint with Paarl Royals in particular is bearing fruit, with Tribe having been able to tweak his technique ahead of this tour in South Africa.
"I have made a couple of technical changes and they have served me well here," he said.
"I am now more side on and added a little trigger in there and made sure I have added a few other shots.
"So if the lads are missing slightly short on the off-side I can still punch that, and I'm trying to narrow the margin for error on the bowler's side.
"My movement is a bit more precise and accurate as well.
"It has given me the ability to know what their bowlers do with the ball.
"It has definitely helped me against their skilful bowlers and has given me a clue on what they do.
"The reason we have this type of cricket where we play against the second team of other countries is that it is going to be a better standard that what we potentially face in the County Championship.
"In the Championship you talk about slightly slower bowling whereas on this wicket it has had more pace and bounce. It is different challenges.
"I like the idea we get the opportunity to play in these because if you are then exposed to Test cricket then it will be faster."
Whether Tribe is on the fast track to an England cap remains to be seen, but the already much-travelled young player continues to do all he can to make his dream a reality.
