Ben Duckett (70 not out) kept his cool as England Lions secured its first win of the tour with a one-wicket victory over India-A in the fifth and final one-dayer at the Sports Hub on Thursday.
Chasing 122 for a win on a tricky surface, which assisted pace and spin alike, Duckett stood tall and thwarted India-A’s attempt at a clean sweep after the Chahar brothers — Deepak and Rahul who shared six wickets between them — raised visions of an unlikely win for the hosts.
However, Duckett wore down the bowling with a mix of orthodox and unorthodox shots and showed maturity batting with tailenders to pull off a consolation win for Lions.
Vital partnership
The India-A medium-pacers Shardul Thakur and Deepak made early inroads as England Lions slipped to 43 for four, but Duckett and Steven Mullaney (8) rescued the side with a 44-run fifth-wicket partnership.
But Mullaney attempted a big hit off leg-spinner Rahul and was bowled. Soon the comfortable chase looked increasingly difficult as England Lions collapsed from 87 for four to 95 for eight.
Both Rahul (three for 43) and Axar Patel (two for 22), with assistance from the pitch, prised out the English lower order.
However, Duckett was unfazed though his partner Mathew Carter had a brain fade when England was nearing victory and holed out in the deep. With the last man Tom Bailey in, Duckett farmed the strike and hit the winning runs — a six over long-on.
Early blow
Earlier, Lewis Gregory bowled a dream first ball which swung in through K.L. Rahul’s defensive prod and India-A never recovered from that blow.
Much depended on Rishabh Pant but the wicketkeeper top-edged a pull and was caught and bowled by Jamie Overton.
Siddesh Lad (36) hit a flurry of boundaries, but Overton ended the threatening innings as the batsmen nicked to the wicketkeeper.
India-A kep losing wickets regularly and it required a few lusty blows from Deepak (21) and Axar (23) to enable India-A cross the 100-run mark.
The scores: India-A 121 in 35 overs (Siddesh lad 36, Jaime Overton three for 24) lost to England Lions 125 for nine in 30.3 overs (Ben Duckett 70 n.o., Deepak Chahar three for 25, Rahul Chahar three for 43).