Ollie Robinson makes England U19 ODI debut

Kent Cricket Academy scholar Ollie Robinson made his England Under-19 one-day international debut against India in a five-wicket defeat in Cardiff.

The Beckenham wicketkeeper-batsman produced England’s punchiest innings, driving a no-ball from Yash Thakur past mid-off for four, and then launching the resulting free hit over long on for six.

But after making 27 from 33 balls, he hoisted Chahar to Thakur at deep mid wicket.

England’s total seemed inadequate but early wickets lifted their hopes, helped by some loose shots from the India batsmen.

Adam Finch, a tall seamer from Worcestershire, had Himanshu Rana edging to Robinson in his second over, then the dangerous India captain Prithvi Shaw drove Blatherwick to mid-off.

Essex’s Jack Plom then made a dream start with a wicket in each of his first two overs, both in identical fashion as Het Patel and Gill chipped full balls to Patterson-White at mid-on.

When Robinson took an acrobatic catch diving in front of first slip to dismiss the left-handed Abhiskek Sharma driving at Lammonby, England were in the driving seat.

But they were unable to ram home their advantage, with Plom bowling a number of no-balls, and Robinson missing a stumping chance.

Anukul Roy led India to a five-wicket victory after four for 30 with his left-arm spin before sharing an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 115 with Salman Khan.

England will now hope to bounce back in front of the Sky Sports cameras in the second match of the series at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Wednesday.