First Youth Test: Day 4 report – Bulbulia’s brilliant ton secures exciting draw against England

Muhammad Bulbulia_SAU19

©Cricket South Africa

Muhammad Bulbulia's superb century, supported by Lethabo Phahlamohlaka and Raeeq Daniels' determined stand, ensured South Africa U19 held England to a dramatic draw in the first Youth Test at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch.

England report

Farhan Ahmed was the star again with a five-wicket haul but it was not enough as England Men U19s fell one wicket short of claiming victory in the first Youth Test against South Africa Men U19s in Stellenbosch.

Ahmed completed a dominant display with both bat and ball - returning match figures of nine for 181 after his first-innings 90 - only for the home side to snatch a draw chasing 317 to win.

Opener Muhammad Bulbulia’s century had South Africa Men U19s on course before spin duo Ahmed (five for 103) and Tazeem Ali (three for 57) inspired a collapse of six for 56 and left the tail with over an hour to bat.

Ali eventually broke a stubborn 84-ball ninth-wicket stand when Raeeq Daniels edged to Archie Vaughan at first slip, but with just eight balls left the home side saw it through to the close – albeit in unconventional style.

Last man Nqobani Mokoena opted to attack the final over from Ahmed, who had eight fielders around the bat, finding the rope twice including smashing the final ball through cover.

The Young Lions had earlier declared at 336 for nine after quick runs from Jack Home (60no) before the impressive Bulbulia – who made 88 in the first innings – paced the chase with 114 from 154 balls.

Bulbulia fell victim to Ahmed, spooning back a return catch, and the Nottinghamshire 16-year-old all-rounder had his five-wicket haul in the same over when Divan de Villiers was bowled attempting a big shot.

Phahlamohlaka ushered his side to the draw though, with an unbeaten 46, despite nervously watching Mokoena’s final-ball antics from his haunches at the non-striker’s end.

South Africa report

An outstanding century by Muhammad Bulbulia mixed with a strong rearguard performance by Lethabo Phahlamohlaka and Raeeq Daniels helped South Africa Under-19 Men secure a dramatic draw with England in the first Youth Test that concluded at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch on Wednesday.

Chasing 317 for victory, which was set when the tourists declared on 336 for nine, the hosts began well through their right-handed opener scoring 114 off 154 balls (13 fours). 

But once Bulbulia, who scored 88 in the first innings, fell, three others followed quickly leaving the hosts in a precarious position on 236 for eight. However, Phahlamohlaka defended 85 balls for an unbeaten 45 and Daniels was also strong in defence seeing off 51 deliveries for his 24.

The junior Proteas eventually ended on 295 for nine – just short of the target – though that had become a secondary objective behind survival after their quick loss of wickets. In the end, Martin Khumalo (9*) had to come out and face eight balls to also play his part in a thrilling draw.

The day had started with England batting on 275 for eight and the visitors managed to stretch their lead thanks in the main to Jack Home’s 60* (69 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes).

Spinner Chad Mason claimed the only wicket to fall when he removed Tazeem Ali for 19 to end with figures of five for 111.

The South Africans made a fair start to the chase by reaching 47 for none, before Jorich Van Schalkwyk fell to Player of the Match Farhan Ahmed (5/103) for 27.

Adnaan Lagadien (4) fell shortly after leaving the chase in the balance. However, Bulbulia and Jason Rowles (51 off 97 balls, 4 fours) gave the home side hope with a splendid partnership of 119 for the third wicket that took them 180 for two.

Ahmed then caused chaos by taking four wickets, including both set batters as well as captain Benni Hansen (4) and Divan de Villiers (4). 

Ali (3/56) further jolted the hosts with two quick wickets in as many overs leaving them precariously placed at 236 for eight with around an hour still to play. 

That was when the rearguard instincts of Phahlamohlaka and Daniels kicked in. The pair put on exactly 50 for the ninth wicket, that was broken by Ali with just over an over to play.

Khumalo then braved the final few deliveries to help the South Africans claim a famous draw.

The second and final Youth Test between the sides takes place at Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town next week.

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

Friday, 17 January at 10:00

South Africa U19 lost to England U19 by 5 wickets - Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town

Sunday, 19 January at 10:00

South Africa U19 beat England U19 by 5 wickets - Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town

Wednesday, 22 January at 10:00

South Africa U19 beat England U19 by 4 wickets - Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch

Youth Test Series

26 – 29 January at 10:00 

South Africa U19 drew with England U19 - Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch 

03 – 06 February at 10:00 

South Africa U19 vs England U19 - Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town