TOM Alsop warmed up for England’s Under-19 ‘Test’ against Australia by top scoring against the Unicorns at Loughborough.
The wicketkeeper-batsman hit 68 as the U19s made 247 (78.2 overs) against a Unicorns attack led by former England star Graham Onions.
Alsop is in the U19s squad for the four-day match against the tourists at Durham, which starts on Tuesday, along with Hampshire teammates Brad Taylor and Mason Crane.
Royal London One-Day Cup selection against Essex (Tuesday) and Warwickshire (Wednesday) may take priority in Crane’s case.
But Alsop will take on Australia with confidence after hitting 11 fours in his 111- ball knock on the first day of the two-day friendly.
After losing his opening partner in the fourth over, Alsop put on 105 for the second wicket with U19s captain Haseeb Hameed before he was caught behind against Onions (4-59).
Unicorns, a side made up club cricketers with first-class aspirations, will begin the final day on 58-3.
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