Rocky Flintoff, son of ex-England cricketer Andrew, registered his maiden Youth ODI century on Saturday (July 5).
Rocky Flintoff scores first ODI century for England U19
Batting at No.4 in the fourth ODI against India at the County Ground in Worcester, the 17-year-old Flintoff came to the crease in the 15th over, at 104-2 after openers BJ Dawkins (67) and Joseph Moores (52) had given England a solid start in their chase of 364.
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Starting patiently, it wasn't until his 20th ball that Flintoff scored a boundary, hitting leggie Naman Pushpak straight down the ground for six. In the 25th over of the innings, he hit three back-to-back fours off Deepesh Devendran to really kick-start his innings, and eventually reached a half-century off 41 balls – having been 13 off 20 at one point.
Flintoff took a particular liking to Pushpak, scoring 36 runs off the leg spinner, including two fours and two sixes. In the 43rd over of the chase, he drove Deepesh into the off side for two, to bring up his maiden century in Youth ODIs, off 88 balls. He was eventually the ninth wicket to fall, for 107.
This was Flintoff's second century across formats for England U19, after his 106 in a Youth Test against Sri Lanka last July.
In January, at age 16, Flintoff became the youngest player to score a century for England A or England Lions, when he made a ton from No.9 against Australia A. Last August, he was Lancashire's youngest-ever debutant in the County Championship.
India U19 seal ODI series despite Flintoff heroics
Flintoff's century in this game eventually went in vain, though. Earlier on, 14-year-old IPL star Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored the fastest recorded century in Youth ODIs, and Vihaan Malhotra also scored 129 at better than a run-a-ball to take India to 363-9.
Apart from Flintoff, and openers Dawkins and Moores, no England batter crossed 20. When he was dismissed, they still required 80 runs off 40 balls with one wicket in hand. England were bowled out for 308, giving India a 55-run win, and an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
4th Youth ODI, England Under-19 vs India Under-19
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Image credit: YouTube / Worcestershire County Cricket Club
