Jason Rowles scores double century as South Africa U19 draws second Test against England U19.
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A Thrilling Encounter
The second Youth Test between England Under-19 and South Africa Under-19 was full of outstanding action. The match saw its fair share of ups and downs for the four days it lasted. For the fans who witnessed the thrilling encounter at Hove, it was truly an amazing show.
It all ended up in a draw, but no one was ready to concede the fight at Hove. The battling display by both teams was simply sensational!
Massive Innings For The Visitors
South Africa were the first to bat as they won the toss and made their intentions clear. The visitors posted a mammoth total of 460 for the loss of wickets at a beautiful Hove.
The star of the show for the moment, Jason Rowles, continued his attacking approach with a brilliant 201. He got great support from Bandile Mbatha and Joshua van Biljon, who both scored well-constructed half-centuries.
The English fast bowlers were left sweating as the South Africans opened their shoulders and eventually Ali Farooq got rewards for his efforts by grabbing four wickets. This huge target did create headaches for the home batters.
Battling Stand by English Batters
The young Englishmen responded in the best manner possible as they fought back and eventually gave a good chase. The hosts made a spectacular comeback in the run chase as they recorded a brilliant 320 for the loss of wickets.
The two main men who stood up for England were Jack Nelson and Ralphie Albert, who came out with flying colours and scored wonderful centuries. However, JJ Basson continued to hold his own by taking four wickets to keep South Africa in the match.
Tight Stand By South Africa Opens The Gate
On day five, South Africa were off to a dream start as they posted a fantastic 122 for 6 on the first day. The visitors were looking solid at 122 for 6 as they were 262 clear of the hosts. England would have preferred to see the early wickets falling as they were looking to finish this match.
Bradley Sylvester wasted no time in dismantling the visitors as he removed Paul James in the first ball of the day. Fast bowling from Charlie Harmison at the Cromwell Road End paceman sent pulses racing as England fancied their chances of cleaning up the South African tail as they tried to push for a win. However, the South African tail stood like a rock as they battled against the English spinners.
Joshua van Biljon and Kamo Matlala were the two men who batted with determination as they eventually added 57 for the eighth wicket. However, the efforts of the South African tail ended as Farooq sent Matlala back to the changing rooms. Van Biljon was also looking to reach a well-deserved century before Nelson eventually got rid of him for 97.
England were still in the hunt for a win as they were looking to get rid of the last two South Africa batters at 183 for 9. However, JJ Basson and Bayanda Majola continued to frustrate the English batters as they were playing the visitors for time.
The two South Africa batters continued their determined innings for sixteen overs before finally Majola edged one behind to give the hosts breathing space. This innings by the last two batters saw the score being posted at 209 for 9 before the lunch interval.
Chase Looks Hopeless
With South Africa having scored 209 for 9, England had a daunting task of chasing down 350 as they had only 51 overs to reach the target. The required rate would be nearly seven an over on a true fourth-day pitch.
Realizing that chasing this huge total was extremely dangerous, England pulled their men back to bat out the remaining overs and save the match. The task of saving the match became even more difficult for England as they were batting for survival now and not for victory.
Difficult Chases Are Always Full Of Surprises
Batting for survival is always more difficult than chasing, and England were to learn this bitter truth as this thrilling day-five encounter progressed. The opening batsman for England, Luke Symington, was out for a mere 17 as he failed to last till the end of the eleventh over.
The nerves were also affected by the dismissal of Ben Dawkins as he was completely fooled by a wonderful low full toss from Bandile Mbatha to eventually get stumped. The visitors were now sensing an opportunity as South Africa were now 42 for two.
England Survivors Steadily Move The Score
However, the next two South African batters, Rocky Flintoff and Joe Moores, played with great care and determination as they took the game to the final over.
They did not attempt any risky shots. They blocked the good balls and picked up the odd runs when the chance presented itself. The two batters successfully led their men to a draw at 100 for two in the 35th over as the umpires eventually declared the match a draw.
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