The U19 England side has produced a major upset to kick off the 2023 cricket year. In what was 20 years in the making, they defeated Australia away from home for the first time since 2003.
With one day left to go in the youth test, Australia needed 159 runs for victory chasing 301. However, a historic performance by English bowler Dominic Kelly led the opponents to victory. His bowling figures of 5/69 claimed his side's victory by 24 runs.
The last time a U19 England side won in Australia was in 2003. That side would go on to produce five players who would play internationally for England- Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Samit Patel, Liam Plunkett and Luke Wright.
These five players would accumulate 55 test matches, 380 ODIs and 163 T20Is between them for England. This included a total of 8,857 runs and 750 wickets across all three international formats.
Inspired by the 2003 win, England U19 opener Ben McKinney couldn't believe they had done what so many others couldn't.
"The tour is about winning. Our reaction when the last wicket fell showed that," he said.
"I've never been away for 35 days before. That's the toughest part. You've got to learn when to switch on and when to switch off."
"While you've got to concentrate on your game, you've also got to know how and when to step away. It's about keeping your confidence level high, and all the boys are doing that so far."
Australia will be looking for revenge as both teams will take on each other in Brisbane next week. Having lost for the first time in 20 years, Australia will be guns blazing to make sure they don't lose two consecutive games.
