Tense victory at Cardiff as England take NatWest International Trophy

England's Under 19 team took the NatWest International Trophy with a tense, 2 run victory over their Sri Lankan counterparts in Cardiff. There were still 16 balls to go when Koushalya Weeraratne, the Sri Lankan captain, drove Peter Trego straight to long on where Tim Murtagh held the catch that sealed the series.

Earlier in the day, England had won the toss and batted first on a pitch not as friendly to the batsmen as the neighbouring strip on which England had won by 15 runs in the first match on Friday. Even so, they got off to a brisk start with Nicky Peng and Ian Bell again sharing a good partnership for the second wicket, taking the score to 95 in the 24th over before they were separated.

As in the previous match, the middle order disappeared quickly and cheaply and it was left to Peter Trego and his Somerset teammate Carl Gazzard to rescue the innings. Trego was left on 53 not out from 52 balls, while Gazzard's no less valuable 20 came from 27 balls as they put on 62 in an unbroken 8th wicket partnership in 10 overs.

Sri Lanka found it difficult to approach the required rate while wickets were falling at regular intervals. It was not until Weeraratne became established at the wicket that the England total appeared under threat. The captain reached his fifty from 56 balls in an over bowled by Kabir Ali that included a magnificent straight driven six.

The fall of wickets at the other end meant that there were still 21 runs required with the last pair at the wicket. Weeraratne was "bowled" by a no ball from Ali as Sri Lanka crept ever closer to the total. Any of three results were possible as Trego began the last over, but it was the bowler who had the final word to begin extensive celebrations among the fielders while the batsmen trudged disconsolately towards the pavilion.