Westley steers England to victory

8 August 2008

Tom Westley struck a run-a-ball 46 to secure victory © Getty Images

England Under-19 captain Tom Westley saw his side home with seven balls to spare against New Zealand in a rain-reduced first one-day international at Canterbury.

Westley finished 46 not out from as many deliveries and was ably supported by Liam Dawson (27 not out) as England reached their revised target of 176 for the loss of four wickets.

Three rain interruptions and one for bad light saw the hosts’ innings reduced to 30 overs after they had earlier restricted New Zealand to 231 for eight in 48 overs.

Westley won the toss, putting the tourists in, and opening bowler Ian Saxelby was no time in bowling George Worker for nought.

Worker’s opening partner Michael Bracewell, nephew of senior Black Cap coach John, showed more resolve to make 39 but when he fell to Ben Sanderson the Kiwis were 99 for four

Harry Boam’s patient 44 provided some resistance while Michael Bracewell’s cousin Doug made 20 but the Black Caps failed to register a fifty-partnership.

England’s bowlers shared out the wickets with Saxelby the only one to claim a second victim when he had Boam caught by Greg Smith.

Greg Morgan chipped in late on with 24 not out from 19 balls while Nick Beard was unbeaten on 11.

England openers Alex Wakely and Alex Hales put on 77 before Wakely went for 44 from 36 balls and Hales was caught and bowled by Boam for 35.

Smith and Dan Redfern fell cheaply but Westley and Dawson combined with a partnership of 54 to give England a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five-series.