O'Shea puts England U19 side on top

Coach Andy Pick was satisfied with England's batting

England Under 19’s made a promising start to their tour of India as Michael O'Shea blasted a century to put them in control of their two-day match against the Bangalore Cricket Association.

The Glamorgan batsman spent over four and a half hours at the crease for his 130 and was the major contributor to England’s score of 326 for seven at the end of the first day, with both sides batting for 100 overs each.

O'Shea opened the batting with Joseph Denly and the two combined in a partnership of 95 before the latter was dismissed for 30. Steven Mullaney of Lancashire also contributed a hard-hitting undefeated 30 at the end.

England coach Andy Pick was satisfied with how his side acquitted themselves and praised the centurion.

He told ecb.co.uk: “O'Shea batted with great application but we were slightly disappointed to finish the day on 330 for seven after reaching tea on 260 for four.

“But it was the first full day of batting we have had so far on tour and we have posted a challenging score in difficult conditions.”

England have travelled to India after starting their tour in Malaysia where they played two 40-over-a-side games against a Malaysian President's XI.

In the first match, O'Shea was again in form with 64 and he was helped by a half-century from William Gifford as England set a score of 252 for five.

The opposition then capitulated to 93 all out, with Andrew Miller and Mullaney picking up three wickets each.

England struggled to 161 in the second match, with only Ben Harmison reaching 30, as the tourists subsequently went down by seven wickets before moving on to India.

Malaysia v England U19 - 1st friendly, January 9 2005 (43 KB)
Malaysia v England U19 - 2nd friendly, January 10 2005 (43 KB)