Under-19 World Cup final: England lose by four wickets as India win record-extending fifth title | Cricket News

England fail to win second ICC Under-19 World Cup title and first since 1998 as India claim record-extending fifth crown; England collapse to 91-7 before James Rew’s 95 propels them to 189 all out; India reach target with 14 balls to spare at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua

India seamer Raj Bawa snared a five-wicket haul during Saturday’s Under-19 World Cup final at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua

England failed in their bid to win the Under-19 World Cup for the first time in 24 years as they slipped to a four-wicket defeat to now five-time champions India in Antigua.

Tom Prest’s men were aiming to follow in the footsteps of the 1998 side – captained by Owais Shah and including Rob Key, Graeme Swann and Chris Schofield – who claimed England’s only title in the tournament to date.

However, they were reduced to 91-7 and then all out for 189 in 44.5 overs before India, after a few wobbles and with the dot balls stacking up towards the end of the chase, reached their target with 14 deliveries to spare to add to their titles in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.

Under-19 World Cup Final – as it happened

India lost their sixth wicket in the 47th over with 14 runs required but clinched victory in the 48th over bowled by James Sales as Dinesh Bana crunched back-to-back sixes to spark wild celebrations.

James Rew (95 off 116) was England’s standout batter by a distance, adding 93 for the eighth wicket with Sales (34no) as India seamers Raj Bawa (5-31) and Ravi Kumar (4-34) picked up nine wickets combined.

Raj’s wickets included George Bell for a golden duck when an unplayable short ball brushed the batter’s glove after zoning in on his grille.

England chipped away with the ball and had real hope when India slipped to 97-4 in the 29th over amid losing Shaik Rasheed (50) but Prest was arguably too conservative with his field placings.

Nishant Sindhu (50no) and Raj (35) teamed up for a fifth-wicket stand of 67 and although England struck twice more, India got over the line to make it six wins out of six at this tournament and inflict a first defeat in the competition on Prest’s men, who can be proud of their achievements across the past few weeks in the Caribbean.

What’s next?

While England Under-19s get over their defeat – but also reflect on a fine run in the tournament – England Women return to action on Sunday as the Women’s Ashes continues in Melbourne.

Defeat in Thursday’s first one-day international in Canberra means England cannot regain the Ashes but they can still draw the series 8-8 by winning the final two 50-over games at Junction Oval.

England men, meanwhile, will be in the Caribbean next month for a three-Test series against the West Indies, starting in Antigua (March 8), continuing in Barbados (March 16) and concluding in Grenada (March 24). Joe Root will remain captain for that series – but who will be interim coach?