Clinical England Level YODI Series

NORTHAMPTON: South Africa Under-19 will head into Monday’s series decider with everything to play for after England Under-19 produced a dominant eight-wicket victory at the County Ground in Northampton on Friday to level the three-match Youth ODI series at 1-1.

Having impressed in their opening six-wicket victory, the visitors were unable to build on that momentum as England comfortably chased down 228 with 68 balls to spare after South Africa had been bowled out for 227.

Batting first after England won the toss, openers Nkosana Sibiya and captain Jason Rowles both made starts before falling inside the opening nine overs, while Jorich van Schalkwyk injected some early momentum with a lively 21 off 17 balls.

Muhammad Bulbulia once again underlined his importance in the middle order with a composed 41 from 50 deliveries, while Joshua van Biljon added 21. However, England struck consistently to leave the visitors on 168/7.

Michael Kruiskamp then launched a spirited counterattack. His entertaining 47 from just 39 deliveries, which included six fours and two sixes, combined with Vihan Pretorius’ 35 off 30 balls, helped lift the visitors to a competitive 227 all out in 39.3 overs.

Ali Farooq led England’s bowling effort with excellent figures of 3/29, while James Minto (2/48) and captain Ralphie Albert (2/52) also made valuable contributions.

South Africa’s bowlers made the ideal start in defence of the total. JJ Basson trapped Harry Wallace early before a sharp run out reduced England to 37 for two, giving the tourists early control of the contest.

Unfortunately for South Africa, they were unable to capitalise.

Ben Dawkins and Rocky Flintoff combined for a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 191 for the third wicket, taking the game away from the visitors with a measured and clinical display.

Dawkins finished unbeaten on 118 from 114 balls, striking 14 fours and three sixes, while Flintoff played the perfect supporting role with an undefeated 79 from 92 deliveries that included 10 fours and two maximums.

Despite Basson producing an impressive spell of 1 for 18 from seven overs, South Africa could not find the breakthrough they desperately needed as Dawkins and Flintoff calmly guided England to 228 for two.

The result leaves the series perfectly poised at 1-1 heading into Monday’s decisive third Youth ODI at the Kent County Ground in Beckenham.

Source: cricket.co.za

Graeme Pollock (born 1944) – 53 internationals, 55.53 average, 274 high score, 15 centuries, 23 official Tests: Pollock’s average has come down, but over a long career, that is probably accurate. Pollock only averaged 35 in eight rest of the world matches and 35 in six other matches. But in the early ’70s his form suffered as he transitioned from wearing glasses to contact lenses, and it took a while for him to adjust.