England Under-19 v Cricket Web Under-19
at New Road, Worcester
Winning a good toss, batting through the time available, and accurate and fiery bowling. Those were the main three causes of England U-19's first win of their home summer, as the rampant Webheads wilted in the face of their first serious challenge all tour.
After winning the toss and batting, England U-19 scored runs quickly but not irresponsibly, as Varun Chopra exploited attacking bowling to hit plenty of runs through a near-vacant leg side. The bowlers looked to have failed to put on sustainable pressure, but Edmunds and McKern chipped away, and the wicket of Moeen Ali (run out for 2) seemed to turn the match. The tourists took the last eight wickets for 112, and looked to ram home the advantage with the bat.
However, batting late into the night in English conditions is never easy, especially not under clouds. Huw Waters and Andrew Miller got the red ball to swing ominously in the lights, clattering the stumps of a helpless Burke for a golden duck before Scott, Vaughan and Jasotharan all perished to catches in the slip region. When Pitt inside edged to be bowled for 5, the tourists were 42 for five, and desperately needing some kind of grafter in the side.
No one were really willing to take the role, however. Mamesh and Currie saw off the swing, and it was with some desperation the ball was handed over to leg-spinner White at a quite early stage - however, White backed his captain, claiming both Currie and Mamesh in the same over to see the Webheads to 116 for 7 overnight. Miller and White cleared up in the morning, and suddenly England were leading by 104.
In with a firm advantage, the hosts did not want to throw it away. Both openers batted doggedly, but responsibly, batting through the entire afternoon session without the loss of a wicket, before Stoneman was deceived by a flighted ball from Currie. The Webheads, however, did not manage to take any cheap wickets, as five men got half-centuries and Rory Hamilton-Brown's score of 37 was the lowest without dismissal. England eventually declared on 440 for 5, setting a mammoth target of 557, and once again the top order wilted - with the possible exception of Jasotharan, who came back with a typical 51 before departing without further notice. Miller claimed four more scalps en route to a fully-deserved Man of the Match award, while the spinner White got rid of Jasotharan and McKern.
England Under-19 260 all out
Cricket Web Under-19 156 all out
England Under-19 440 for 5 declared
Cricket Web Under-19 176 all out
England Under-19 won by 368 runs
Man of the Match: Andrew Miller
