Opener Ben Charlesworth and left arm spinner Ruhel Ahmed were the star performers on the first day of the first four-day youth Test between Bangladesh U-19 and England U-19 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.
After winning the toss, England elected to bat first and got off to an excellent start. Openers George Balderson (65) and Charlesworth formed a 124-run partnership before Balderson became Ruhel’s first scalp.
Ruhel then took the wicket of Lewis Goldsworthy for four with the score on 128/2.
The England U-19 captain Tom Lammonby was next to depart for seven as he became Ruhel’s third victim as the score was on 144/3.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith then formed a small partnership with Charlesworth before Smith lost his wicket for 14, trapped in front by Minhazur Rahman and the score was 174/4.
The @BCBtigers U-19 side made a combined effort to beat @englandcricket U-19 by 63 runs Saturday at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox's Bazar to clinch the three-match series 3-0.https://t.co/RnYX45dqWR#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #ECB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 2, 2019
From there George Hill formed the second-highest partnership of the day – 56 runs – with Charlesworth before Hill was dismissed by Asadullah Galib for 26.
With Charlesworth on 99, he lost his wicket to become Ruhel’s fourth wicket as the bowler finished the day with figures of 4/61 off his 18 overs.
Quick wickets fell as the lower order failed to offer much resistance with Galib and Minhazur both getting two more wickets as England ended the day on 261/8.
Bangladesh U-19 will end the happier side with the late wickets after losing the toss and seeing England get a big opening partnership.
1ST 4-DAYER, DAY 1
ENGLAND U-19 261/8 in 90 overs (Charlesworth 99, Ruhel 4/61) against BANGLADESH U-19