Ben McKinney’s run-a-ball 110 helped England Lions salvage some pride during an-innings-and-10-run defeat by Australia A in an unofficial Test in Sydney.

England began their second innings on day three at Cricket Central in Wilson Park on 116-2 – 141 runs in arrears – having followed on to Australia’s 373-9 declared.

Durham left-hander McKinney notched his second first-class hundred after he had resumed in the morning session on 67 not out.

However, when the 20-year-old was caught by Xavier Bartlett off the bowling of Aaron Hardie with the score on 164 it spelled the beginning of the end for the Lions.

Matty Hurst made a stoic 35 and Rocky Flintoff hit a gritty 21 but they were the only other England batters into double figures on the third day as Aussie seamer Jordan Buckingham finished with 4-41.

This match was the last of the Lions’ three four-day games down under.

They lost the first by seven wickets in Brisbane despite 94 for McKinney but managed to draw the second thanks to a century from 16-year-old Flintoff.

Flintoff is the son of former England all-rounder Andrew who is coach of the England Lions for this tour.