Virus prompts early Goodman return

James Goodman was robbed of the chance to feature in England U19s' seven-match ODI series due to illness

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England Under-19 all-rounder James Goodman has been forced to return home early from the tour of Bangladesh after contracting a virus.

The 18-year-old Kent player flew home with an England team doctor and is now safely back at his home.

Goodman batted at number three in England’s first innings of the one-off Test against Bangladesh Under-19s in Chittagong last Friday. But he did not bat or field on the last day of the four-day match, as England slipped to a two-wicket defeat.

Goodman said: “Obviously I'm very disappointed that I couldn't carry on in Bangladesh, but the doctor has told me that I need complete rest for a week to 10 days, and I have to respect that.”

Kent head coach Paul Farbrace added: “We are fully behind the decision to send James home on health grounds. He now needs a further week to 10 days rest to get back to full fitness.

“I'm sure that James will play a key part in next year's Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, so we want him to fully recuperate and get back playing as quickly as possible.”

England are currently preparing for four back-to-back youth one-day internationals in Fatullah, having lost their opening game of the seven-match series in Chittagong in Goodman's absence.