Youth Test series ‘draws’ to close

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Feb 24

ENGLAND U-19 did their batting practice on the fourth and last day as the Youth Test that ended in a draw at the VCA, Jamtha stadium. Starting the day at 43 for two, England posted 255 when both captain’s called truce before start of mandatory overs.
India U-19 spinner Harsh Tyagi was the stand-out bowler as he took four wickets in the second innings.
With India failing to take wickets early in the morning, England batsmen started picking easy runs and reached 148 for two at lunch. They started well despite overnight batsman Daniel Houghton retiring due to stomach bug.
But last match heroes George Bartlett (76) and Delray Rawlings (49) saw off the first hour easily. Bartlett slammed his second consecutive fifty as the two added 112 runs for the third wicket taking their team’s total near 150.
After lunch India managed to take two quick wickets. They first broke the strong 125 runs partnership between Bartlett and Rawlings. Siddharth Akre took an easy catch of Rawlings at deep mid-wicket off Tyagi. Two overs later Akre pounced Ollie Pope at forward short-leg off the same bowler.
Bartlett continued to play freely and hit three sixes before his innings was cut short at 76. The batsman stepped out to clear long on off Tyagi but missed the line and lost his stumps.
Tyagi and Anukul Roy bowled 27 overs in tandem after lunch. After tea Will Jacks and Aaron Beard took charge and the duo added 50 runs for the seventh wicket as the match headed towards draw. Apart from Tyagi, Daryl Ferrario, Anukul Roy and Saurabh Singh were the other wicket-takers for the hosts.
Brief scores: England U-19: 375 and 255 for 9 (All out) (G Bartlett 76, D Rawlings 49, H Tyagi 4/67) drew with India U-19: 388.