Lokeshwar saves India from defeat

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Feb 16

SPINNER Sijomon Joesph skittled out England Under-19 for 167 in their second innings but India’s decision to declare 70 runs short of England’s 501 total almost came back to haunt them. The colts managed to draw the match from a precarious position on the last day of their Youth Test at VCA, Jamtha.
Chasing 238 to win, India managed to reach 189 for 8 thanks to Daryl Ferrario’s fighting 37 and wicketkeeper-batsman Suresh Lokeshwar’s (92*) rearguard effort. Lokeshwar fought in the middle for over two hours to save India from the jaws of defeat.
India bundled out the visitors at a challenging total of 167 but their batsmen fell like nine pins in the second innings. The top five failed to reach double figures. The hosts were looking down the barrel at tea with recognised batsmen Ferrario and Saurabh Singh (5) holding the fort. But their departure after tea exposed the fragile Indian tail.
S Lokeshwar and Joseph (12) fought hard for over half an hour adding 39 for the seventh wicket but the latter’s departure dealt another blow for the hosts. Lokeshwar then joined by Kanishk Seth (18) saw off the challenge with a 61-run partnership.
Abhishek Goswami (4) started India’s chase with a first ball boundary but three balls later nicked one to Harry Brook at first slip off Henry Brookes. Two overs later, Ravi Inder Thakur (8) was run out by keeper Ollie Pope who cleverly threw the ball on the stumps after watching the batsman doing shadow practice outside the crease.
More trouble was in store for India as opener Rohan Kullummal (4) was bowled by seamer Arron Beard five balls later.
If that was not enough, India lost captain Jonty Sidhu (1) in the sixth over. Trying to flick one, Sidhu ended up handing an easy catch to keeper Pope off Beard.
After tea break, Brookes rattled Saurabh Singh’s stumps to put India under pressure. England tasted more success with the wicket of Ferrario.
First innings hero Ferrario chased an away going delivery to give a simple catch to wicketkeeper Pope of Godsal. Lokeshwar and Joseph occupied the crease and tried to consume as many deliveries as they could. Runs dried up as India crawled slowly as the end of day’s play came closer. But Joseph succumbed to pressure and returned scoring only 12 runs.
Earlier, Joseph, bowling from city end, took six wickets to break England’s back as they folded up at 167.
The 19-year-old Kerala-born spinner spun enough to take the wickets of Henry Brookes (3), George Bartlett (68), Delray Rawlings (15), Ollie Pope (26) Aaron Beard (1) and Liam-Patterson White (3). India reduced England to 105 for four before lunch. Joseph impressed with his left-arm spin as as the English batsmen danced to his tunes.
Brief scores: England U-19 501 and 167 (G Bartlett 68, H Brook 29, O Pope 26, S Joseph 6/62, D Ferrario 2/17) drew with India U-19: 331-8 decl and 189-8 (D Ferrario 37, S Lokeshwar 92*; H Brookes 3/39, A Beard 2/24).