England U-19 v Cricket Web U-19
at Hove
The Webheads took their third win in as many games on the British Isles, with a fine team effort without the great individual performances. England U-19 batted first, but failed to make an imposing total, as Andy Cameron continued his fine bowling effort. Cameron was probably the best player of the day, zipping the ball around on the Hove greentop, and one particularly beautiful delivery took out Varun Chopra's leg stump. It was to be Cameron's only wicket - though his team-mates didn't help, flooring several catches - and when first change bowler Rich Edmunds nicked the wicket of Stoneman, followed by a smart run-out of Moeen Ali, England U-19 were 53 for 3 and devoid of their best batsmen.
That turned out to be their downfall. Nelson played a stonewall innings of 66, but failed to capitalise on the medium-pace trundling from Benjamin, and neither Hamilton-Brown, Wright nor Mullaney upped the run rate significantly. Despite 13 extras, the hosts could only muster 181 for 5 - a total that looked very modest.
So it was. The opening partnership between Mamesh and Jasotharan shortened the odds of a Webhead win considerably, with Huw Waters dismissed with ease - when his deliveries weren't escaping wicket-keeper Simpson and going down to fine leg for wides, that is. Jasotharan and Mamesh added 73 in 12 overs, a fine rate, and from then on it was about securing the win. Jasotharan was out attempting a huge hoik off James, ending his innings with the top score of 47, but Ben Vaughan impressed with good running as he got 45 not out. James got three wickets, but also bowled no-balls that were hit for six, and in the end the Webheads won with more than fifteen overs to spare - though their mid-innings performance, when they went from 132 for 2 to 179 for 5, gave the hosts some hope of coming back in the next game.
England Under-19 181 for 5 (50 overs)
Cricket Web Under-19 182 for 5 (34.5 overs)
Cricket Web Under-19 won by five wickets
Man of the Match: Shan Jasotharan