We’ll bounce back in World Cup vows Tom
ON the face of it a 5-0 one-day series whitewash at the hands of India on home soil is not much to shout about but England Under-19s all-rounder Tom Lammonby is adamant his side can be happy with their performance.
India snuck a one-wicket win with four balls to go in Taunton on Wednesday to confirm a series rout, but their team has been together for three years and is a well-oiled machine.
By contrast, this England squad only came together ten days before the opening ‘Test’ match last month, which they lost by 334 runs, and they have shown signs of improvements throughout the tour – culminating in a marginal defeat.
And 17-year-old Somerset and Devon man Lammonby, who was named as England’s Player of the Series, is still convinced it stands them in good stead ahead of February’s World Cup.
“I think we have shown we have the character, fight and ability to not only perform at the World Cup but also to bring it home for England,” he said.
“We have only been together for a short period of time, whereas they have for two or three years. To have this series against them was a tough ask but it has done us the world of good.
“We have taken a lot out of this series and although it has been tough, they are the best U19s side in the world at the moment and have really the set the standard.
“It gives us an insight and we hope to challenge them for the World Cup next year.
“That is an exciting prospect so we are looking at the positives and benefits we can take from this and we have as many as they do.”
Lammonby has perhaps been the discovery of the series for England, after openly admitting he hardly expected to play following a surprise call-up to the team. The left-armer troubled India with his seam bowling, but it was his displays with the bat which really caught the eye – particularly the way he coped with India’s lethal spin attack.
He scored 151 runs in the fivematch one-day series at an average of 38, making him England’s leading run scorer as well as topping the averages – and revealed that watching veteran opener Marcus Trescothick at Somerset has made all the difference.
“I was probably a little bit too young to remember him playing for England but I have played with him in nets and he is just on another level, he is in a different class,” added Lammonby.
“I just love watching him, especially with him being a lefthander, too. I have had a few training sessions with him and then working with James Hildreth as well, he has really helped me to play spin.
“Somerset is a family-oriented club so it is great to learn from seasoned pros like those guys. They play with such calmness and ease, you know they are legends.
“Now I want to kick on, individually and with England because it is an exciting time.”