Cardiff Met alumnus Asa Tribe strengthens England case with superb Lions hundred

Cardiff Met alumnus Asa Tribe has continued his impressive rise after scoring a superb century for England Lions against South Africa A this summer.

The Glamorgan opener made 135 at Arundel in testing conditions, producing a composed and mature innings against a South Africa A side featuring players with Test cricket experience. It was another important moment in Tribe’s development, with the former Cardiff Met student continuing to push his case at Lions level.

Asa Tribe in action earlier this season with Glamorgan. Photo Courtesy of Glamorgan CC.

Reflecting on the experience, Tribe said: “The Lions games this summer have been another great experience and opportunity. Playing against a great side in South Africa A where some of them have played Test cricket has been awesome to compete with.

“Unfortunately we came out on the wrong side of the result in the first game but personally it was very nice for me to get a hundred in my second innings. I knew I was able to bat a long time due to the game situation with 17 wickets falling on the first day, so I tried to knuckle down and bat time.”

Tribe’s innings was built on patience, discipline and an understanding of the match situation. With wickets falling regularly on the opening day, he recognised the need to absorb pressure, bat time and give the Lions a platform against a high-quality attack.

The century also comes during a period of continued growth for Tribe, who has now spent three tours working with the Lions coaching staff. That experience has allowed him to develop his game in an elite environment while testing himself against international-standard opposition.

“This is my third tour working with the Lions coaches so they know my game well and that has allowed me to have good conversations around how I can continue to keep progressing and developing,” he added.

His ambitions are clear, with Tribe determined to keep building towards the highest level of the game.

“My aspirations are to play Test cricket and other formats for England,” he said. “All I can do is continue to focus on my own game and try and put the best performances in for the team that I can.”

While Tribe has now moved on from Cardiff Met, his connection with the university cricket programme remains strong. With Cardiff Met’s men’s and women’s sides preparing for national semi-final action, he also sent his support to the current squads.

“Even though I have left Cardiff Met University now, it is still great to see the cricket team performing so well and I wish them all the best in the national semi-finals and hopefully the final,” he said.

Tribe’s latest performance provides another proud moment for Cardiff Met Sport and underlines the strength of the university’s sporting pathway. His progress from Cardiff Met into county cricket and the England Lions environment is another example of an Archer continuing to make an impact on the national stage.

His 135 against South Africa A is a significant marker in a career that continues to gather momentum, with Tribe showing both the temperament and ambition required to keep pushing towards international cricket.