Rana, Roy shine in India U-19 cricket team’s big win vs England colts

India U-19 cricket team has taken a 2-0 lead against England colts after facile wins in Cardiff and Canterbury

Himanshu Rana’s 74-run knock and a sublime four-wicket spell by Anukul Roy spurred India U-19 to an eight-wicket win over England in Canterbury in the five-match Royal London One-Day Series, which the visitors now lead 2-0.

Himanshu Rana of India U-19 reaches a half century as England U-19 wicket-keeper Ollie Robinson looks on during their match at The Spitfire Ground on Wednesday in Canterbury, England. (Getty Images)

India had beat the England U-19’s in the opening game of the series at Cardiff on Monday with five wickets in hand; Anukul Roy having lead India’s bowling charge with a four-wicket haul in that game as well.

Supplementing the left-arm spinners efforts in the second match-up were Rahul Chahar, who took three and Abhishek Sharma, who picked up two wickets as the Indian spinners dismantled England’s batting order that looked comfortable at 83/1, but lost six wickets in succession putting them at 123/7 just 13 overs later.

An undeterred Indian batting line-up achieved its target with eight wickets and 16 of the 50 overs to spare.

England, making four changes from the first game, won the toss and opted to bat. They got off to a good start with openers Liam Trevaskis and Liam Banks forging a 48-run partnership. India’s breakthrough came with Chahar getting the better of Banks with a stumping.

England skipper Harry Brooks came on to hit a splendid first-ball six and continued to build the innings with Trevaskis until Roy dismissed the latter and then Brooks in the very next over leaving England at 87/3.

Anukul Roy (C) of India U-19 celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Harry Brook of England U-19 in Canterbury, England on Wednesday. (Getty Images)

Will Jacks was bowled by Anukul Roy as Tom Banks too departed in similar fashion leaving the hosts at 119/5. Ollie Robinson was run-out for a duck while Henry Brookes too failed to register any runs, getting stumped off Abhishek Sharma’s delivery.

Tom Lammonby and Hamidullah Qadri put up a 19-run stand for the eight-wicket with Jack Blatherwick adding another 33 runs alongside Lammonby for the ninth.

Blatherwick and England’s last batsman Ben Allison fell shortly after; Lammonby remained not out and as the English were dismissed for 175.

Rana and Indian captain Prithvi Shaw scored 110 runs together before Shaw fell to a Jack’s delivery, caught by Banton at midwicket.

Shubham Gill combined with Rana to get India close to the finishing line. Rana was dismissed with just five runs to get, leaving Gill to finish off in style with a boundary.