SAu19 and England u19 share dramatic draw in 1st Youth Test

An outstanding century by Muhammad Bulbulia, mixed with strong rearguard performances from Lethabo Phahlamohlaka and Raeeq Daniels, helped South Africa u19 Men secure a dramatic draw with England in the first Youth Test at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch on Wednesday.
Chasing 317 for victory, which was set after the tourists declared their second innings on 336/9, the hosts began well through their Bulbulia, with the right-handed opener scoring 114 off 154 balls, with 13 fours.
But once Bulbulia, who scored 88 in the first innings, fell, three others followed quickly, which left the hosts in a precarious position on 236/8. However, Phahlamohlaka defended 85 balls for an unbeaten 45 and Daniels saw off 51 deliveries for his 24 to keep England at bay.
The junior Proteas eventually ended on 295/9 – just short of the victory target – though that had become a secondary objective behind survival after the hosts lost quick wickets. In the end, Martin Khumalo, who contributed an unbeaten nine, 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 275/8. The visitors managed to enhance their lead thanks in the main to Jack Home’s 60 not out. It came from only 69 balls and included five fours and two sixes.
Spinner Chad Mason claimed the only wicket to fall when he removed Tazeem Ali for 19 to end with a fine 5/111.
The South Africans made a fair start to their run chase by reaching 47 before Jorich van Schalkwyk fell to the Player of the Match, Farhan Ahmed for 27. It was the first of five wickets in the innings for Ahmed, who would finish with 5/103.
Adnaan Lagadien fell shortly after Van Schalkwyk for four. However, Bulbulia and Jason Rowles, who weighed in with 51 off 97 balls, gave the home side hope with a splendid partnership of 119 for the third wicket that took them to 180/2.
Ahmed, then, caused chaos by snapping up four wickets, which included removing both of the set batsmen, as well as SA captain Beni Hansen and Divan de Villiers, both for four.
Ali, who finished with 3/56, further jolted the hosts, nabbing two quick wickets in as many overs to leave them precariously placed on 236/8 with around an hour still to play.
That was when the rearguard instincts of Phahlamohlaka and Daniels kicked in. They added exactly 50 for the ninth wicket. Ali, eventually, ended that stand with just over an over to play.

After Khumalo braved the final few deliveries, the match ended in a tense draw.
The second and final Youth Test takes place at Western Province Cricket Club, in Cape Town, next week.
SA u19 Men’s Youth ODI Squad against England u19
Beni 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
South Africa u19 lost to England u19 by 5 wickets – Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town
Sunday, 19 January
South Africa u19 beat England u19 by 5 wickets – Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town
Wednesday, 22 January
South Africa u19 beat England u19 by 4 wickets – Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
Youth Test Series
26-29 January
South Africa u19 drew with England u19 – Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
3-6 February
South Africa u19 vs England u19 – Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town