Young Lions finish series with defeat

England Men U19s ended their tour of the Caribbean with a 59-run defeat to West Indies Men 19s in the seventh Youth ODI in Grenada.

The Young Lions bowled the hosts out for 213, with Surrey seamer Alex French claiming three for 21.

Caleb Falconer top scored in the chase with 52 but the tourists were bowled out for 154 to lose the series 5-2. Aadian Racha and Micah McKenzie took four wickets each.

Captain Farhan Ahmed was his usual dependable self, taking two for 37 from his 10 overs. The finger spinner bowled Tyriek Bryan and then the dangerous Joshua Dorne with deliveries that caught both on the crease to finish the trip with 12 wickets at an average of 21.6.

Fellow spinner Ralphie Albert, also impressive on the trip, returned two for 35 before the recalled French removed the middle-lower order.

The Young Lions were unable to build partnerships in reply with Falconer’s half-century the stand-out while wicketkeeper Joe Moores added 37.

The Young Lions return home to begin their final preparations ahead of the 2026 ICC U19s Men’s World Cup which begins in Zimbabwe and Namibia next month.

England Men U19s have be drawn alongside co-hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Scotland. Their opening game is against Pakistan in Harare on 16 January.

Scorecard: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/112587#scorecard

ends