James Vince and Danny Briggs are in confident mood ahead of England’s final Group A match against India in the Under 19 World Cup.
 

England currently top the group ahead of India with a better net run rate, after defeating both Hong Kong and Afghanistan convincingly. Vince and Briggs have played key roles in England’s victories with both player’s earning Man of the Match awards, Vince for his unbeaten 76 against Hong Kong and Briggs for his bowling figures of 3 for 15 from 10 overs against Afghanistan.

However with victories coming against non-cricketing test nations, the Hampshire players know that India will provide the sternest of tests, as the sub-continent team look to retain the World Cup they won in 2008 defeating South Africa in Malaysia.

Briggs said: "I think we've got to approach Thursday's match against India as we have the first two games. We obviously know it's going to be a harder match and we'll be under more pressure with both the bat and the ball but we'll get a chance to compare ourselves against one of the best teams in the tournament.

“I think whoever wins that match will take a lot of confidence away from it. It will be a major positive should we meet India again in the latter stages of the World Cup.After the way we played on Monday everyone just wants to get out there and play and test ourselves against a top team like India," said Briggs

Although Briggs was England’s standout bowler against Afghanistan, the left-arm spinner was quick to recognise the efforts of his fellow team mates in the nine wicket victory.

“Afghanistan was one of our better performances as a team; it wasn't down to one player's performance it was down to everyone, the way we bowled as a unit and the way we fielded throughout,” he added.   

Meanwhile Vince has been England’s most consistent run scorer in the tournament so far, scoring 123 runs, and yet to be dismissed, the 18-year-old is enjoying his time at the crease.

Vince said: “I felt pretty good in the warm-up matches prior to the tournament starting. I managed to get a couple of starts but didn't really push on so it's been nice to stay in and see the innings through.

"Everyone is feeling good at the moment; it's been pleasing to win our first two matches so convincingly. Even though the opposition haven't been as strong as other teams, to win them as well as we have is a real confidence booster for the whole team.”

The Hawks’ batsman recognises the threat India will pose, but believes the team is good enough to defeat the number one ranked team in the tournament.

He said: “The India match is obviously going to be the toughest test we've had so far, but if we play like we have in the last three games hopefully it will be more than good enough on the day to beat them."
Despite both teams having already qualified for the quarter final stage, the two sides will look to secure the all important victory to top Group A.

Ally Fisher

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