Day 2 match report – 2nd Youth Test: England Men U19s v South Africa Men U19s

Aaryan Sawant guided England Men U19s into a first-innings lead with a patient unbeaten 83 on day two of the second Youth Test against South Africa Men U19s in Cape Town.

The Middlesex right-hander batted for over five hours, with the support of a Kesh Fonseka half-century, as the Young Lions reached 251 for eight at stumps.

Left-arm finger spinner Nathan Rossouw impressed with five for 62 on a spin-friendly surface, but Sawant remained to usher his side into a 27-run lead.

Sawant joined Foneska at 52 for two after Rossouw, who sent down 36 overs today after opening the bowling last night, removed openers Archie Vaughan (24) and Ben Dawkins (22). The pair added 70 for the third wicket with Fonseka crunching leg-spinner Chad Mason for six over cover before bringing up his fifty with a straight four from the spin of Jason Rowles.

Fonseka was run out by a Bandile Mbatha direct hit as he went back for a second – the only wicket of the day not to fall to spin. The Young Lions then lost four for 16 as Rossouw reached his five-wicket haul which threatened to give the hosts a first-innings lead.

Sawant steadied matters and reached the close having hit five fours and a six in his 228-ball stay, while Yorkshire debutant Alexander Wade was also unbeaten on seven from 58 balls.

Cricket South Africa

Nathan Rossouw returned an impressive five-wicket haul to ensure South Africa Under-19 Men kept England under control on day two of the second and final Youth Test taking place at Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The left-arm spinner claimed five for 62 in 37 impressive overs, 15 of which were maidens, as the tourists replied to the hosts’ 224 all out by going to stumps on 251/8.

Aaryan Sawant was the glue that held the English innings together – the right-hander facing 228 deliveries for a patient unbeaten 83 (5 fours, 1 six).

Kesh Fonseka (52 off 82 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) was other half centurion for the visitors, though his innings was far more attacking and came as the away side held the advantage early in the day.

They had started the day batting on one for none with Archie Vaughan (24) and Ben Dawkins (22) putting on 47 for the opening wicket, before both fell in quick succession to Rossouw.

Then came the main early partnership as Fonseka and Sawant combined for 70, helping their side reach 122 for two when the former was run out by Bandile Mbatha.

Ben Mayes (26) then picked up the baton by adding 43 alongside Sawant to carry the tourists to 165 for three and the most dominant position of the day.

However, it was the junior Proteas who roared back from there with Rossouw dismissing Mayes, Thomas Rew (4) and then Harry Moore (0) to complete his five-for. At the other end Chad Mason (1/43) had Farhan Ahmed stumped for one as the total slipped to 181 for seven.

England did recover towards the end after Jason Rowles (1/45) got rid of Eddie Jack (10), with the lead slowly making gains to 27 by the close.

SA U19 Men’s Youth ODI Squad against England U19

Bennie Hansen (captain, Western Province), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Divan de Villiers (Titans), Carl Fryer (North West), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Chad Mason (KZN Inland Tuskers), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Semal Pillay (Dolphins), Jason Rowles (Lions), and Ntando Soni (Dolphins).

SA U19 Men’s Youth Test Squad against England U19

Bennie Hansen (captain, Western Province), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Muhammad Bulbulia (North West), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Divan de Villiers (Titans), Paul James (Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Eastern Storm), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Chad Mason (KZN Inland Tuskers), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Nathan Rossouw (North West), Jason Rowles (Lions), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans), and Sandiswa Yeni (Dolphins).

SA U19 Men’s Tour against England U19

Youth ODI Series