Last-over defeat for Young Lions in Grenada

England Men U19s suffered a second last-over defeat in as many games as they slipped to a rain-affected six-wicket loss to West Indies Men U19s in Grenada.

Jonathan van Lange was the match-winner with an unbeaten 57 from 34 balls and struck the first ball of the final over for six to get the hosts home.

Captain Farhan Ahmed (46) and Caleb Falconer (42) had earlier shared an unbroken 90-run partnership to help England Men U19s reach 160 for five before rain ended the innings after 31.4 overs.

The hosts were set a revised target of 191 from 31 overs following a two-hour rain delay and got off to a solid start as openers Tyriek Bryan (31) and Earshino Fontaine (39) added 84.

But the Young Lions fought their way back with three wickets in 21 balls on the back of Jack Nelson.

The Middlesex leg-spinner broke the opening stand with a fierce turning delivery that crashed into left-hander Bryan’s off stump, before showing his agility in the field moments later to run out Fontaine.

Nelson’s quick movement and throw from short cover to Ben Mayes at the non-striker’s end caught Fontaine short attempting a quick single.

In the next over the 17-year-old had Joshua Dorne, who hit a match-wining 90 in the opening game, caught on the rope by Middlesex team-mate Falconer as the Windies needed 90 from the final 10 overs.

But Van Lange showed his quality and power when it counted – hitting five of the 11 sixes in the match - to steer the hosts home and give them a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.

The ICC had earlier in the day confirmed the groups for the upcoming Men’s U19s World Cup with the Young Lions drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan, Scotland and co-hosts Zimbabwe.

The Men’s U19s World Cup will be staged in Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February with this series against West Indies providing an important preparation for coach Mike Yardy’s team.

The third match of the series will be staged at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium in St George's on Friday.

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