ENGLAND : England U19s ended their youth ODI series against India on a high with a dominant seven-wicket victory at Visit Worcestershire New Road.

Although India won the five-match series 3–2, it was England who had the final say, thanks to a disciplined bowling display that limited the visitors to 210 for nine.

All six bowlers chipped in, with Ralphie Albert (2 for 24) and Alex French (2 for 37) leading the way. RS Ambrish top-scored for India with an unbeaten 66, the only batter to score more than 40, as England’s attack applied constant pressure.

England chased down the target with ease, reaching 211 for three with nearly 19 overs to spare. Ben Mayes (82* from 76 balls) and Thomas Rew (49* from 37) completed the job after a solid platform was laid by Ben Dawkins, who scored 66 from 53 balls, his third successive half-century in the series.

India, having opted to bat, were immediately put under pressure by England’s reshuffled pace attack. French and Matt Firbank each struck in their first overs. Ayush Mhatre’s lean run continued as he chipped a catch to mid-on, while French dismissed the in-form Vihaan Malhotra, scorer of a high-class century in the previous game. Malhotra edged a superb delivery to wicketkeeper Rew.

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had amassed 322 runs across the first four games, struggled for fluency. Although he hit Firbank for successive sixes, he was well-contained apart from that before, on 33 from 42, slicing Sebastian Morgan to deep third.

Leicestershire seamer Alex Green maintained the pressure and was rewarded with the wicket of Rahul Kumar, well-caught on the long leg rope by Dawkins. Spin then took over, with Albert trapping Harvansh Pangalia lbw and later having Kanishk Chouhan stumped smartly by Rew. Ambrish held the innings together with a composed half-century, guiding India through the full 50 overs.

England’s reply took an early hit when Joe Moores bottom-edged a pull shot off Deepesh Davendra to the keeper. However, a 107-run stand between Dawkins and Mayes in just 13 overs put the hosts firmly in control. Dawkins looked poised for a big score until he holed out to long-on attempting a fourth six, with Chauhan taking an excellent running catch.

India briefly rallied when Naman Pushpak bowled Rocky Flintoff through the gate, but Rew’s arrival with 90 needed from 31 overs ensured calm. Mayes brought up his fifty from 48 balls and remained composed throughout, while Rew finished the match in style, striking boundaries freely as the pair shared an unbroken 90-run stand from 73 balls.