JAMES Vince could not stop England Lions from sliding to another defeat against Australia A.

Batting at six, Vince was dismissed for an 18-ball 21 as the Lions lost by 45 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Vince’s medium pace was used for the first time in 13 matches for the Lions and he took a tidy 1-18 from five overs.

But Australia A’s 285, which featured an unbeaten 109 from captain Aaron Finch and 81 from former Hampshire player Adam Voges, proved 40 too many.

Vince was lbw to John Hastings, who he had earlier claimed as his maiden victim for the Lions, but the key moment was Gary Ballance retiring hurt on 73, after being struck on the head by a bouncer in the 41st over.

The Lions were all out for 240 six overs later and are now 4-0 down. Australia A will attempt to complete a whitewash during Friday’s final one-day international at the SCG.