India down Eng in U-19 tri-series

Top-order batsmen made it count as India Under-19 stretched their unbeaten run to three matches after outplaying England colts by 20 runs in the tri-series youth cricket ODI here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat at the R Premadasa Stadium, India U19 rode on a 113-run opening stand between Himanshu Rana (50) and skipper Rishabh Pant (71) to post a challenging 261 all out in 50 overs.

After the opening duo’s departure, Ricky Bhui (42) and Virat Singh (38) then stitched a 52-run stand to force the Brad Taylor-led side to juggle between eight bowling options.

Leg-spinner Mason Crane bagged three wickets, while pace spearhead Sam Curran and part-time spinner Dan Lawrence picked up two wickets each.

In reply, the English side had their moments in the game but the Indian bowlers got wickets at regular intervals to flatten the opposition chase.

Opener Lawrence struck a fine 55, while George Barlett top-scored with a defiant 70 and Max Holden contributed with a gutsy 45, but their efforts were not enough as the side was packed in 49.3 overs.

Left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar and medium-pacer Rahul Batham bagged three wickets apiece.

The Indian side have just one more game to go against Sri Lanka U-19 and are looking certain to play the finals on December 21.

Brief Scores: India Under-19 261 all out in 50 overs (Rishabh Pant 71, Himanshu Rana 50; Mason Crane 3-51)

England Under-19 241 all out in 49.3 overs (George Barlett 70, Dan Lawrence 55; Mayank Dagar 3-27, Rahul Batham 3-24).