Peng puts England in strong position

Opener Nicky Peng scored 132 as England under-19 made 286 for 3 in their first innings on the opening day of the second cricket Test against India under-19 in Madras on Saturday.

The English batsmen were helped in a big way by some shoddy fielding by the Indians, who dropped no less than five catches.

Thriving on those lives, Peng got himself involved in two useful partnerships to take the visitors to a strong position by stumps.

Electing to bat, openers John Sadler and Peng were off to a good start but the former was run-out after off-spinner Dharmi Chandi floored a return catch from Peng and the ball hit the non-striker's stumps with Sadler well out of his ground.

Sadler made 22 and had put on 57 runs for the first wicket.

Peng, who was joined by captain Ian Bell, played some aggressive shots but survived an easy chance on 76, being dropped by Gambhir at cover off Dharmichand. Then Dharneswar dropped him off V Sivaramakrishnan. Bell also had a reprieve when he was on eight out of a total of 81 for 1.

Peng duly reached his century with an on-drive to the fence off Ganda.

At the other end, Bell made 61 (11 fours) before being caught at cover by Dharmichand off Ganda. The two put on 142 runs for the second wicket in 35.4 overs

Peng then added 52 for the third wicket with Pratt before falling to a running catch at short fine leg by Ganda off V Sivaramakrishan.

His career best 132 came in 290 minutes off 240 balls with 11 fours and five sixes.

At close, Pratt was batting on 39 and G Muchall on 14.

Mail Cricket Editor