HAMPSHIRE Academy all-rounder Mitchell Stokes hit 33 runs off 17 balls, including a six and six boundaries, but was unable to save England under-19s from a crushing 293-run defeat by their Indian counterparts in the opening 'Test' match in Bangalore yesterday.

Stokes from Basingstoke, joint top-scored for England, who collapsed to 129 all out after being set an improbable 423 runs to win.

"There was no pressure on me, so I just went out and played my shots," said Stokes, who describes his under-19 Test debut as "a daunting experience".

He added: "India are a very talented side and playing in their own back yard in Bangalore was a great experience, but obviously a demanding one as well."

Stokes was reasonably happy with his bowling figures - 1-68 off 19 overs in India's first innings of 334 all out and 1-30 off five when pre-declaration slog was on in the second - but England were seldom at the races in the game.

They made only 112 in the first innings - Stokes being trapped leg before wicket for one - and were heavily beaten.

Hampshire's David Griffiths, who was not selected for the opening 'Test', will be hoping to get a chance in the second match against India at Calcutta's Eden Gardens on Thursday.