Under-19s fail England test

Bangladesh Under-19s failed to on their good form into their first major group-stage challenge in the ICC Under-19 World Cup as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat to their English counterparts at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown, New Zealand yesterday.

Bangladesh Under-19s had simply outclassed their Namibian and Canadian counterparts in the first two Group C matches, but their batting was well below par against England as they were bundled out for 175 in 49.2 overs.

England rode on a century from their captain, Harry Brook, and his unbroken 128-run stand with Euan Woods (48 off 57) to coast to a seven-wicket victory in 29.3 overs. While making an unbeaten 84-ball 102 that contained 13 fours and three sixes, Brook became the first England Under-19 captain since Alastair Cook to score a century in the Youth World Cup.

Meanwhile, Canada cruised to a four-wicket victory over Namibia in the day's other match to keep their knockout hopes alive, but they will have to win the last group match against England on January by a big margin to have a chance of progressing.

England are now leading the Group C table with four points from two matches and a net run rate of 3.278 while Bangladesh are in second place with four points from three matches and a net run rate of 0.438. Canada are third with two points and a net run rate of -0.277.

The Bangladesh Under-19 batting was a big concern prior to the tournament proper but they showed their ability against the two minnows. However, they reverted to their old state as the top order was not afforded the time to settle in against disciplined bowling from Ethan Bamber and Dillon Pennington.

At 27 for four, Bangladesh could not pose any threat to their opponents despite Afif Hossain's 85-ball 63. Ethan Bamber initiated the early collapse with a three-wicket haul and then Euan Woods rattled the middle order.

SCORES IN BRIEF

BANGLADESH U19S: 175 all out in 49.2 overs (Afif 63, Aminul 31, Mahidul 20; Bamber 3-19, Woods 3-26, Pennington 1-26)

ENGLAND U19S: 177-3 in 29.3 overs (Brook 102 not out, Woods 48 not out; Onik 1-19, Hasan 1-27, Nayeem 1-36)

Result: England Under-19s won by seven wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Harry Brook (England Under-19s)