U19s Cricket World Cup Watch: Part 2
England U19s picked up another win in the ICC U19s Cricket World Cup beating Canada by 106 runs in St Kitts.
Lancashire’s Josh Boyden took four more wickets, doubling his wicket tally for the tournament. The left arm seamer recorded figures of 4-44 as England bowled out Canada for 214 in their pursuit of 320-7.
Earlier in the day, Boyden’s Lancashire teammate George Bell smashed 57 from just 35 balls hitting three fours and three sixes.
Speaking after the game, Bell said: “It was a great feeling to pass fifty and help the team get beyond 300 in the back end of the innings. You always want to come into a tournament and get off to a good start. So to get a fifty in my first innings, I couldn’t have wished for much more.”
Bell brought up his 50 with a reverse sweep which went over third man for six and the wicket keeper batsmen’s shocked reaction was picked up by the cameras: “I’m not the biggest of blokes and I’m not renowned for clearing the ropes either so to hit a reverse sweep off a seamer over third man for six, I even shocked myself. I think it’s had quite the reaction on social media and I’m glad people have enjoyed watching it back.”
Hampshire’s Tom Prest top scored with 93 and George Thomas (52) both passed half centuries before Prest contributed figures of 3-38 while took Jacob Bethell 3-45.
Tom Aspinwall’s four overs went for 17 while he finished two not out as all three Lancashire players once again featured.
Bell added: “Josh and Tom have both been outstanding. Josh has had a great start with his eight wickets and Tom also picked up key wickets in the Bangladesh game as well as bowling very fast spells when he has come on first change to back up Josh.
“Yesterday, we all stood next to each other during the national anthem and that was a very special moment for not only ourselves but for Lancashire as well.”
England remain top of Group A with one game left as they take on UAE on Thursday (20 January) live on Sky Sports at Warner Park once again.
Bell concluded: "The whole team are so happy to get off to a winning start in our first two games. I think this has helped bond us all as a team, which will help us later in the tournament when we have to rally as a side to get out of tough situations that tournament cricket might throw our way.”