England Women Under-19s in good state following Australia tour

England Under-19 coach Jane Powell believes the side's tour to Australia has provided invaluable experience for the future stars of the women's game.

The party return from Sydney today having dominated the Australia U19 state competition, but missing out in both one-day internationals against Australia U19s.

Powell admitted she was disappointed that England had not beaten Australia in the ODIs, but was delighted the U19s were simply able to take part in a trip of this kind for the first time.

"It's disappointing that we didn't take the momentum of the state tournament to the internationals," she said. "But giving the U19s the chance to tour means they gain invaluable overseas experience before making their senior England debut, which has never happened in the past.

"This group of players has immense talent and adapted to conditions and environment here superbly. They played some exciting and enjoyable cricket and the experience will stay with them."

Having remained unbeaten in the state tournament, England U19s were full of confidence for the two-match ODI series at The Bradman Oval, Bowral, against their Australian counterparts, but the hosts won both matches comfortably.

The stars of England's attack during the state competition did not maintain their form. Isa Guha had been named bowler of the tournament and captain Sallianne Briggs batsman of the tournament. But Guha failed to take wickets in the first match, and proved expensive in the second, a performance replicated by England spin bowler Laura Harper.

Briggs, who had devastated state bowling attacks by amassing over 280 runs opening the batting in the six matches, scored just six in both ODIs.

However, with the women's World Cup another two years away, some of the squad will genuinely feel they made a sound case for youth playing a part in South Africa, 2005.