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| August 23, 2007 | Thursday | Sha’aban 9, 1428 |
Godleman keeps England hopes alive
LEICESTER (England), Aug 22: Billy Godleman struck the highest score by an England Under-19 batsman in one-dayers as the team kept alive their hopes of levelling the series against Pakistan Under-19s with an 80-run win in the fourth match of the series at Grace Road on Wednesday.
Godleman and Adam Lyth added 126 for the second wicket as England, batting first, amassed, 313-7, their biggest total at this level. Then Steven Finn’s four wickets meant Pakistan couldn't get close.
Godleman and Alex Wakely laid a solid base with an opening stand of 100 before Lyth arrived and increased the scoring rate. Godleman showed the skills which have earned him a place in Middlesex’s Championship side and why many believe he is an England opener in the waiting. He was strong through the off-side and paced his innings to perfection, while expanding during the closing overs.
Lyth’s 75 took 65 balls and although the middle succumbed to a series of wild swings, the momentum was never lost and England collected more than 100 off the last 10 overs.
Pakistan needed a rapid start if they were to chase down the runs, but weren’t helped when opener Shan Masood was unable to take his place after picking up a finger injury in the field. Finn produced a superb opening spell and removed Umar Amin, one of Pakistan’s leading batsmen on the tour.
Usman Salahuddin again showed good form, but was forced to retire hurt with a cramp when Pakistan needed to accelerate. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson removed Ali Asad and Imad Wasim in three balls as the middle order tried hit out and got out. Although Salahuddin returned to complete a battling half-century, and Masood showed what Pakistan had missed in the top order, the contest was long since over.
The fifth and final match of the series takes place at the same venue on Thursday.
Summarised scores:
ENGLAND UNDER-19 313-7 in 50 overs (Billy Godleman 149 not out, Adam Lyth 75); PAKISTAN UNDER-19 233 in 46.2 overs (Usman Salahuddin 60, Ali Asad 43; Steven Finn 4-22).—Agencies
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