Brook’s century gives England win, boosts chances of Super League

Captain Harry Brook scored a fine century as England defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets to put themselves in line to top Group C in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Brook’s 102 not out was supplemented with a fine all- round effort of 48 not out and three for 26 by Euan Woods as the 1998 champions completed a second straight win.

England are at par with Bangladesh on four points and a win over Canada on Saturday will enable them to top the group with six points, also making Bangladesh as the second side to qualify for the Super League.

Canada remained in contention for a place in the Super League quarterfinals from Group C when they defeated Namibia by four wickets at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

However, Canada will have to convincingly beat England and improve their net run-rate to reach the Super League quarterfinals. Their run-rate currently sits at -0.277 as compared to England’s +3.27 and Bangladesh’s +0.43.

While Canada are still in the running for a place in the Super League quarterfinals, Namibia, who had qualified directly for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup as the highest- placed Associate in 2016, will now play in the Plate Championship after succumbing to their third straight defeat.

Earlier, England lost a couple of early wickets but Brook followed up his half-century against Namibia with an 84-ball 102 not out. Brook added 128 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket with Woods as England romped to victory.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 175 all out, 49.2 ovs (A Hossain 63, A Islam 31; E Bamber 3/19, E Woods 3/26) vs England 177/3, 29.3 ovs (H Brook 102 n.o, E Woods 48 n.o).

Namibia 193 all out, 46 ovs (L Louwrens 38, E van Wyk 32, E van Mollendroff 30; A Gill 4/43, R Joshi 2/28, A Padmanathan 2/38) vs Canada 197/6, 42 ovs (A Khan 72, A Gill 52, K Singh 50 n.o).

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