ENGLAND Under 19s squared the Royal London One-Day Series against Worcestershire legend Graeme Hick's Australian side with a breathless four-wicket win at Worcester's New Road secured by a Brad Taylor boundary with two balls to spare.

Dan Lawrence of Essex did the bulk of the work as England chased an imposing Australia total of 294 by hitting his second century of the competition which ended 2-2.

He received fine support from the Durham pair of Adam Hickey and Jack Burnham, who made 43 and 53 respectively in partnerships of 104 and 101.

But England needed to hold their nerve after losing Lawrence for 106 from 129 balls and their captain Aneurin Donald rose to the occasion with 38 from 31 balls.

His dismissal in the 48th over left England needing six off the last over and, although Lawrence’s Essex team-mate Callum Taylor carved the first ball through the slips for four, he then fell for an important 29 from 20 balls to put the pressure on his namesake Brad.

But the Hampshire off-spinner, who has been England’s most consistent bowler through the series and was again the pick of the attack at New Road, hit his second ball to the boundary.

Earlier, Caleb Jewell had made 106 and shared an opening stand of 196 with Jordan Gauci after England chose to field first on a humid day.

But they fought back well in the later overs with Kent’s Hugh Bernard taking three wickets for the second time in the series and Burnham picking up a wonderfully nonchalant catch on the boundary.