England U-19 v Pakistan U-19, 4th ODI, Leicester

Record-breaking Godleman stars for England

Cricinfo staff

August 22, 2007

England Under-19 313 for 7 (Godleman 149*, Lyth 75) beat Pakistan Under-19 233 (Salahuddin 60, Finn 4-22) by 80 runs
Scorecard

Billy Godleman struck the highest score by an England Under-19 batsman in one-day internationals as the team kept alive their hopes of squaring the series against Pakistan Under-19s with an 80-run win at Grace Road. Godleman and Adam Lyth added 126 for the second wicket as England piled up their biggest total at this level then Steven Finn's four wickets meant Pakistan couldn't get close.

The day after the senior side comprehensively beat India at The Rose Bowl, the U-19s put in an equally impressive display. The 36-run defeat at Northampton left England facing a must-win situation to retain any interest in the series. 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, expanding during the closing overs and surpassing such household names as Michael Vaughan and Mike Gatting.

Lyth's 75 took 65 balls and although the middle succumbed to a series of wild swings, the momentum was never lost and England scored 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, who has been one Pakistan's leading batsmen on the tour.

Usman Salahuddin again showed good form, but was forced to retire hurt with 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 completed a battling half-century, and Masood showed what Pakistan had missed in the top order, the contest was long since over.

The final match of the series takes place on the same ground on Thursday.

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