England in a spin
January 30, 2012 09:15:59 UK
Pakistan's spinners have given the England Test side a torrid time.Whilst the England Test side are struggling in their series against Pakistan, the Lions and U19’s are having their own battles in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The Lions have recorded a second emphatic victory in Sri Lanka with a Somerset wicketkeeper again hitting a ton. Craig Kieswetter, backed by previous centurion Jos Buttler who made 40, hit 112 as England won by 67 runs.
Young paceman Nathan Buck was again the pick of the quick bowlers, with Danny Briggs and Samit Patel the leading spinners. With a senior tour of the island due in a few weeks, one or two of this team could force their way into contention.
The U19 side face a key game on Monday as they trail 3-1 in the seven match series after Taksin Ahmed and Mosoddek Hossain each took four wickets to bowl out the young guns for 168. Devon all-rounder Craig Overton is having a tough time with the ball, but hit 36 as Aneesh Kapil 40 and skipper Adam Ball 21 helped the team recover from the top order collapse.
The fifth game at Sylhet will be the 801st U19 ODI after South Africa beat Pakistan at Stellenbosch on Sunday. England had won game three in impressive fashion and need to bounce back after Saturday's defeat in game four to keep the series alive.
Meanwhile, Andy Flower is threatening changes for the third Test match with Pakistan. However, any changes can hardly be wholesale as Ravi Bopara is the only batting option available unless he brings in reserve wicketkeeper Steven Davies, which appears unlikely.
England can be backed at 8.00 to land the World Cup in 2015, while Pakistan are 8.00 to take the top prize.
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