JOE Clarke was at the crease when England Lions completed an eight-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in the opening 50-over clash in Dubai.

The Worcestershire batsman was restricted to a cameo role and finished two not out after Keaton Jennings struck a century.

Clarke batted in his accustomed number four role in the first of three unofficial ODIs against the UAE before a three-day encounter with Afghanistan.

But only nine were required for victory when the 20-year-old went to the wicket at the start of his third involvement with the Lions.

Clarke will hope to have the opportunity to play a bigger role in tomorrow's second meeting with UAE.

Jennings celebrated his call-up into the England squad for the fourth Test with India in Mumbai by making 101 not out.

The Durham batsman hit 13 fours in his 105 ball knock and shared in stands of 107 with Daniel Bell-Drummond (40) and 59 with Tom Alsop (24).

The Lions reached their 175 target in just 33.1 overs.

The Surrey trio of Stuart Meaker (4-38) and Sam and Tom Curran, with two wickets apiece, had been largely responsible for dismissing UAE for 174 in 45.3 overs after skipper Jennings had put them into bat.