Cricket: England U19s beat India

England set up a quarterfinal clash with the West Indies courtesy of a battling 31-run win over India in the final match of pool play at the cricket under-19 World Cup in Christchurch today.

England set a challenging 246 for eight in their 50 overs, and defending champions India were found wanting, all out for 215 in 46.4 overs.

Put in to bat after India won the toss, England were hit early and lost both openers to catches behind the stumps off the medium pace of Saurav Netrawalkar.

James Vince and Jack Manuel provided temporary resistance at the crease but by the 20th over, England had lost their top four batsmen and were struggling at 60 for four.

Indian wicketkeeper Sufiyan Shaikh was kept on his toes, and took all four wickets to sharp catches, three off Netravalkar and one off Sandeep Sharma.

England dug deep, however, as Ateeq Javid and Ben Stokes put on 100 for the fifth wicket.

Javid, with four fours in his 42, disappeared in the 40th over and Stokes let fly as Michael Bates came to the wicket.

The pair added 62 in 41 balls and Stokes scored his second 50 in just 26 balls, including five sixes. His century came in 88 balls.

In reply, India started strongly, reaching 36 inside six overs before Rahul Kannaur fell to David Payne.

Mayank Agarwal continued to punish the new ball, slamming two sixes and three fours in his 32, before Stokes broke through.

India lost three wickets in 12 balls to be 63 for four after 12 overs. Although Manan Sharma and Shaikh tried to consolidate, wickets fell at regular intervals, and India were bowled out 31 runs short of the target.

The result means England will face West Indies in the quarterfinals in Rangiora on January 23, while India will play subcontinental rivals Pakistan on the same day in Lincoln.

New Zealand meet Australia the following day while South Africa play Sri Lanka.

- NZPA