Taruwar Kohli leads India into ICC U 19 Semi finals

ICC Under 19 CWC: India U19 vs England U19, Quarter Finals

India beat England by 7 wickets





Other ICC U 19 CWC results today -

1) South Africa crush BD by 201 runs to enter semi finals.
2) Namibia beat Malaysia by nine wickets in Playoff Quarter Finals
3) Nepal beat Zimbabwe by 99 runs in Playoff Qurater Finals



Live Match observations

Taruwar Kohli, the Jallandhari opener of India under 19 maintained his focus and saw India home with an unbeaten 63. he leads the runs table of this ICC U 19 CWC with 207 runs in 4 innings at an average of 69.

He is not a ripper , and prefers to play the anchor role, which became important today when India at the doorstep of victory chose to be frivolous. The reliable Captain Virat, third on the list, and the dashing Tanmay Srivastava before him, and second on the same list of leading scorers, chose to add a dash of careless style to the win and perished.

With some 30 odd runs to go, it wasn't dangerous but still revealed a chink for teams to explore. Business must be business-like and a larger victory is that much better goiung into the next match. Getting out in a silly way takes you back to square one in the next match.

England began cautiously, perhaps due to Sangwan's reputation, and remained so till the last wicket fell. Sangwan wasn't swinging it prodigiously today on the other hand. Argal was accutrate too, had a few good shouts, took the first wicket, but wasn't threatening more than restriction. The same goes for the other bowlers. The England pair at the crease looked comfotable and careful...fair enough at the start. Good to get your eye in...but what next? What do you do after getting your eye in? You try and match up your runs with balls faced. England didn't do that and looked as if they didn't know how.

Their interpretation of attacking cricket, which came in a sudden burst after a long long period of settling in, meant slogs to the the cow corner with head high and eyes closed. How many played that way and perished caught or bowled!

Strike rotation wasn't considered during the settling-in period and there was no one to bring calculated aggression into the picture to keep things ticking over. Pressure builds up in such situations, as it did in every partnership, and results in desperation.

Mind you, the boys were not technically ill-equipped against seamers...they just weren't bold enough. Too much caution.

When the spinners came on, they looked to play them from within the crease. They looked safe and competent when they did that, but the score wouldn't budge with such play. So, they'd then dance out for release...and released they'd be. This one is a technical flaw in most. They didn't use their feet enough or judiciously against spinners. For most part of their innings, the Indian bowlers were allowed to bowl as they pleased.

That is my another worry. From what I have seen in every match, it is Sangwan India seems to depend upon for initial penetration. If he were to have an off day, or were not able to get a wicket, their plan B is containment and waiting for errors. OK...that's good and all you can ask for, but the lack of proactive penetrativeness is worrisome. Most wickets fell to the pressure of not scoring runs for periods of time. So while the tactics succeeded for India, what if someone takes charge of the attack? England probably don't play that kind of cricket, but Australia, Pakistan, Lanka, South Africa...all play that game.

The English bowlers too came with a reputation, but barring Finn, no one really impressed me or looked likely to take a wicket.The two Westley picked up were gifted away. Did he beat them with a change of length?...Must have if he got them out...but it didn't look so. The shots were airy-fairy.

Finn is lanky, tall, and has a good incoming delivery. Perhaps Stuart Broad had more pace at the same age, but there's no reason why Finn shouldn't add pace as he grows along. he's more open-chested than side-on and bowled well.

Today, India did well. They did well in sticking to basics while bowling. If the ball wasn't doing it for them, they kept it straight and up. They need a few variations and deceptions. The spinners didn't have to fear the batsman for they were loathe to step out, so one cannot really say how the bowling will stand up if attacked. However, Jadeja looks canny and Iqbal Abdulla has all that Mumbai experience.

The fielding...ground fielding...was sorry. Dave Whatmore was watching and taking notes...I'm told he emphasizes fielding drills.

There are definite areas where India can look to tighten up...let's begin with having someone else open instead of Goswami. The lad looks tired if he has kept the previous innings. 95 runs at 23 average aren't good at the top of the order.