Rowles and Bulbulia lead reply for SA U19s

Jason Rowles and Muhammad Bulbulia both came close to hitting centuries as South Africa Under-19 Men responded well on the second day of the first Youth test against England at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch on Monday.

After dismissing the tourists for 299 early in the morning session, the hosts then replied with 269 for eight – a deficit of just 30.

Left-hander Rowles top-scored with a fine 90 off 118 balls (12 fours), while right-handed opener Bulbulia struck a more patient 88 off 163 balls (10 fours).

The pair provided the backbone for the junior Proteas, who did lose late wickets – they were on 230 for three at one stage – to squander what would have been an even stronger position at stumps.

They will nonetheless be satisfied with their effort, which began with the bowlers wrapping up the English tail quickly at the start.

The visitors started play on 275 for eight but lost both Tazeem Ali (6) and Alex French (3) within the first 10 overs as Raeeq Daniels claimed double success to finish with four for 49.

Day one star, Nqobani Mokoena was the pick of the bowlers with his five for 61.

The South Africans then lost Jorich van Schalkwyk early in the reply, trapped leg before wicket by French (1-28) for 15.

However, Bulbulia knuckled down and was assured at the other end as he first added 43 with Adnaan Lagadien (18), who fell to Farhan Ahmed (3-74), for the second wicket.

Next came the main stand of the innings – a wonderful partnership of 139 for the third wicket between the two half centurions.

The partnership was finally broken in the 58th over when pick of the bowlers Ali (3-62) cleaned up Bulbulia, with captain Bennie Hansen falling to the same bowler for 15.

England skipper Archie Vaughan (1-50) accounted for Rowles and two late strikes by Ahmed hurt the South Africans further, leaving Mokoena (10*) and Daniels (0*) with the responsibility of taking their side to the close.

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

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 at 10:00

South Africa U19 v England U19 - Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch

3 – 6 February at 10:00

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