After drawing the two-match Youth Test series 0-0, the SA U19s were soundly beaten 5-0 by England U19 in their five-match Youth ODI series.

England U19 succeeded in ending the series on a high when they beat SA U19 by 87 runs to complete a series whitewash in Derby on Friday.

The hosts won their fourth consecutive toss and chose to bat first, posting 212-8 at the end of their innings. Despite chasing down a low total, SA U19 could only post 125 all out in reply, with wicketkeeper Grant Roelofson top-scoring with 40.

This followed losses at Edgbaston (by two wickets), two at Trent Bridge (by 74 runs and by 39 runs respectively), and Grace Road (by six six wickets) to end a disappointing tour for the U19s under new coach Lawrence Mahatlane and rookie captain Sibonelo Makhanya.

Despite the 5-0 scoreline, there were some good individual performances from the South Africans, with Janneman Malan scoring four fifties in a row to compile 238 runs at an average of 47.60 for the series. Marques Ackerman (pictured) also impressed, scoring two fifties and a 38 during the series.

From the bowlers, Keith Dudgeon was the only performer to take a five-for, claiming that in the first game, with the rest of the lineup returning average figures throughout the series, a problem that will need to be looked at going ahead.

England were allowed to post competitive totals too many times in the series, which meant that the batting lineup either had to chase down more than they should have, or were under pressure to post large totals up front to make up for the weak bowling attack.

After a promising start to the tour following their strong performances in the Youth Test series, Mahatlane will now want to go back to the drawing board following the demoralising 5-0 Youth ODI series loss.

Photo: CSA