England Under 19s show maturity to achieve valuable draw against India (For The Observer)
On a hot day when England’s seniors defeated Pakistan through some masterful bowling, it was England Under 19s batsmen who saved the first Test Match of the series against a strong Indian team last Saturday at Canterbury. Hard-fought centuries from Adam Lyth and Mark Nelson saw them home. This was some achievement after England resumed the final day on 218 for five, only 23 runs ahead of India.
England captain Varun Chopra chose to bat first on the notoriously run-rich wicket. His team registered a nervy 231 in their first innings, steadied by Lyth’s 64 and the peroxide-blond Rory Hamilton-Brown's quick-fire 45, only for India to cash in with 426. Captain and opening batsman Aziz Praveez set the tone for India, scoring 71 off 104 deliveries. The middle order all flourished, and Virat Kohli top-scored, making 123 from only 184 balls in a sparkling knock.
England's recent form under pressure has been unconvincing. They lost to India in February’s Under 19 World Cup – scoring only 58 in 20.1 overs in response to India’s 292 for 4 in the semi-final, and in the recent one day series.
It was reassuring, then, that Lyth and Lancashire's Steve Mullaney batted with determination to thwart the Indian bowling attack. They added 76 runs before Mullaney was caught off leg-spinner Singh’s bowling, having scored 31 off 121 balls. Yorkshire batsman Lyth found in eighth batsman Mark Nelson an able batting partner. Theirs was the match-saving partnership, as they steered the result away from India’s clutches.
Lyth, in his flamboyant left-handed style, hit 113 from 324 balls including 11 fours, while Northampton’s Nelson's unbeaten 104 included four sixes, his diamond-earring glistening from the square. The pair combined in a 130-run partnership for the seventh-wicket. The bowling of Bodapati Sumanth ended Lyth’s six-hour innings, as wicket keeper Omkar Gurav claimed a stumping.
England wicket keeper Paul Dixey (2) faced 30 balls before being caught off Virat Kohli’s bowling, but Graeme White – the slight, slow left arm bowler who had taken the most wickets for England in the game – joined Nelson, and the pair remained unbeaten, with Singh (2-78) the pick of the Indian bowlers.
England, having lost only three wickets on the last day, declared on 452 for eight. With inadequate time remaining for the Indians to commence their second innings, the game was concluded a draw. By the end of play the soporific heat had caused even the seagulls to become languid.
Despite India relaxing as soon as England’s total became insurmountable – all ten outfield players were given a chance to bowl – the home team can take pride from saving the match. England Under 19s will look to build on the steely mentality for the second Test, which starts at Taunton on 1 August.
On a hot day when England’s seniors defeated Pakistan through some masterful bowling, it was England Under 19s batsmen who saved the first Test Match of the series against a strong Indian team last Saturday at Canterbury. Hard-fought centuries from Adam Lyth and Mark Nelson saw them home. This was some achievement after England resumed the final day on 218 for five, only 23 runs ahead of India.
England captain Varun Chopra chose to bat first on the notoriously run-rich wicket. His team registered a nervy 231 in their first innings, steadied by Lyth’s 64 and the peroxide-blond Rory Hamilton-Brown's quick-fire 45, only for India to cash in with 426. Captain and opening batsman Aziz Praveez set the tone for India, scoring 71 off 104 deliveries. The middle order all flourished, and Virat Kohli top-scored, making 123 from only 184 balls in a sparkling knock.
England's recent form under pressure has been unconvincing. They lost to India in February’s Under 19 World Cup – scoring only 58 in 20.1 overs in response to India’s 292 for 4 in the semi-final, and in the recent one day series.
It was reassuring, then, that Lyth and Lancashire's Steve Mullaney batted with determination to thwart the Indian bowling attack. They added 76 runs before Mullaney was caught off leg-spinner Singh’s bowling, having scored 31 off 121 balls. Yorkshire batsman Lyth found in eighth batsman Mark Nelson an able batting partner. Theirs was the match-saving partnership, as they steered the result away from India’s clutches.
Lyth, in his flamboyant left-handed style, hit 113 from 324 balls including 11 fours, while Northampton’s Nelson's unbeaten 104 included four sixes, his diamond-earring glistening from the square. The pair combined in a 130-run partnership for the seventh-wicket. The bowling of Bodapati Sumanth ended Lyth’s six-hour innings, as wicket keeper Omkar Gurav claimed a stumping.
England wicket keeper Paul Dixey (2) faced 30 balls before being caught off Virat Kohli’s bowling, but Graeme White – the slight, slow left arm bowler who had taken the most wickets for England in the game – joined Nelson, and the pair remained unbeaten, with Singh (2-78) the pick of the Indian bowlers.
England, having lost only three wickets on the last day, declared on 452 for eight. With inadequate time remaining for the Indians to commence their second innings, the game was concluded a draw. By the end of play the soporific heat had caused even the seagulls to become languid.
Despite India relaxing as soon as England’s total became insurmountable – all ten outfield players were given a chance to bowl – the home team can take pride from saving the match. England Under 19s will look to build on the steely mentality for the second Test, which starts at Taunton on 1 August.
Labels: cricket, England, India, U19 cricket
