England U-19 v Pakistan U-19, 1st Test, Scarborough, 1st day

Wakely and Lyth make hay

Cricinfo staff

August 4, 2007

England U-19s 351 for 2 (Godleman 71, Wakely 112, Lyth 92*, Wright 52*) v Pakistan U-19s
Scorecard

England Under-19 showed their batting class on the first day against Pakistan, reaching 351 for 2 on a flat deck. Alex Wakely made 112 before being run out in a close call, while Adam Lyth is on the brink of a century, with 92 not out.

Ben Wright, the stand-in captain in Rory Hamilton-Brown's absence, also cashed in with an unbeaten fifty, as they ran Pakistan ragged at Scarborough under fine, breezy conditions.

The home side weren't ruffled by disruptions in the lead-up. The venue was changed because of flooding - originally this match was scheduled for Worcestershire - their captain was changed, and Chris Jordan, the fast bowler from Barbados was ruled out because of ineligibility.

But England showed no signs of trouble as they cruised to a robust total as the Pakistan bowlers pursued good areas but could find little movement and squandered the new ball. All of the top four made fifty or more - with Billy Godleman the only other faller of the day; he was Ahmad Shahzad's sole victim, for 71, as he hit the wicket with his bat.

England would have expected a tougher opening day against the World Cup holders in the first match of the two-Test series, but they will be more than happy with their showing. And they will expect more wickets than Pakistan when they eventually bowl, as their bowlers hit the deck more.

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