SOMERSET all-rounder Craig Overton starred in a losing cause for the England Lions as Sri Lanka A earned a 47 run win in the first unofficial ODI in Dambulla.

The 22-year-old came in at number nine with the Lions languishing on 133/7 in pursuit of their revised target of 278 from 43 overs and the game all but over.

Overton helped keep the game interesting by smashing an unbeaten 60 from 45 balls as he added 76 for the eighth wicket with the in-form Liam Livingstone, who notched centuries in both innings in last week's second unofficial Test.

Once the Lancashire man was dismissed, however, England's chances of victory all but evaporated and Overton's impressive cameo was in vain.

The Barnstaple-born youngster's knock included three fours and two sixes and could result in a promotion up the order for the remaining limited overs matches.

Earlier in the match, the Somerset man picked up 2/46 from his nine overs as Sri Lanka A racked up 278/7 before rain intervened just shy of their 50 overs.

England Lions are now 1-0 down in the five-match series, with the next clash to take place on Saturday.