LEICESTER: Disciplined bowling from the SA Under-19 bowlers and a measured unbeaten half-century from Muhammed Bulbulia guided the South Africans to a commanding six wicket win in the first Youth ODI against England Under-19 at Grace Road in Leicester on Tuesday.
Left-arm spinning all-rounder and skipper Jason Rowles picked up 3 for 20 and Bandile Mbatha snagged 3 for 23, before an unbeaten 55 from Bulbulia led the junior side to an impressive win.
Bowling first, South Africa’s bowlers produced an impressive fightback to dismiss England for 158 in just 33.5 overs after the hosts looked set for a much bigger total after racing to 50 inside seven overs, with opener Ben Dawkins leading the charge.
Dawkins and fellow opener Harry Wallace took the hosts to 48 without loss before Wallace was trapped in front by left-arm seamer JJ Basson for ten.
Caleb Falconer (4) didn’t last too long before he became the first of three Mbatha victims off the first ball of the seamer’s spell.
Unfortunately for the home side, Dawkins, who struck an entertaining 44 from 50 balls, including seven fours and a six, was run out at the non-strikers end with the score on 70.
That breakthrough sparked a dramatic collapse as South Africa wrestled control of the innings through disciplined bowling and relentless pressure in the field.
After England lost Will Bennison in the 21st over, they slipped from 104 for 4 to 158 all out, losing their final six wickets for just 54 runs. Only Manny Lumsden, with a late 30, offered any significant resistance, while Rocky Flintoff contributed 29 during the middle overs.
Rowles picked up the important wicket of Flintoff with a neat bit of bowling. He then helped clean up the lower order to ensure England never recovered from losing wickets in clusters.
The response from South Africa was measured and decisive. After losing the early wicket of Nkosana Sibiya for four, Rowles and Jorch van Schalkwyk steadied things with the pair taking the visitors to 44 before Van Schalkwyk was dismissed for 13.
Rowles continued his strong all-round showing when he raced to 42 off just 40 balls before Ralphie Albert trapped him in front with the score on 64.
Bulbulia and Josh van Biljoen combined for what would be the pivotal partnership for South Africa. Their 78-run stand took their team to the brink of victory before the latter was caught off the bowling of Alex French for a patient 23 off 45 balls.
Van Biljoen became the fourth wicket to fall, however when he was dismissed, South Africa needed just 17 runs and over 30 overs left to get the runs.
Bulbulia ended on 55 not out off 66 balls with six fours. Paul James was with Bulbulia at the end unbeaten on five.
The second Youth ODI of the series takes place at the County Ground in Northampton on Friday as South Africa look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Source: cricket.co.za
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