Cricket: Liptrot sparks the fightback

England Under-19 239-8 Australia Under-19 229-7 England win by 10 runs

ENGLAND PRODUCED a tremendous fightback in front of Mike Gatting, a Test selector, to beat Australia Under-19s by 10 runs in the first one- day international of the three-match series at Canterbury yesterday.

Australia, set 240 to win, could only manage 229 for 7 after looking on course for victory at 157 for 2 when the Worcestershire seamer Chris Liptrot struck, trapping Michael Klinger lbw for 37.

The Durham wrist-spinner, Graeme Bridge, and the Somerset paceman, Matthew Bulbeck, then took a wicket each in successive overs before Northamptonshire's Richard Logan struck two vital blows, dismissing Sean Clingeleffer and Nathan Hauritz. When Hauritz went to a yorker England were almost home, reward for some impressive out cricket that made up for a sluggish start.

Australia's opener Daniel Harris led a charmed life. He was dropped four times on his way to 58 before Liptrot ended the opening stand, which had been worth 103 in 25 overs. Harris hit 58, off 77 balls including nine fours, and Australia looked well on top at that stage, only to lose their way later in the innings.

Earlier, England had made a solid start with the opening pair, Michael Gough and Ian Flanagan, putting on 101 for the first wicket before Flanagan was run out for 35. Gough continued to lead from the front until falling for 86 with the total on 182, well supported by 44 from Yorkshire's John Inglis.

However, England failed to build on that promising foundation and the rest of the innings faded away quickly. The last five wickets slipped away with the addition of only 37 runs.

Adam Voges finished with 4 for 48 as England ended on 239 for 8.

The teams move on to Chelmsford for their second one-day game today.