Chad Mason’s four wickets on day three left the first Youth Test between SA U19 and England U19 evenly poised at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch.

The medium-pacer grabbed 4-97 in 26 hard-working overs as the tourists reached stumps on 275-8, a lead of 255 with a day to play.

Earlier, the hosts managed to take a 20-run first innings lead thanks to good resistance by Nqobani Mokoena (29) and Raeeq Daniels (30*), who added 47 together for the ninth wicket.

Their partnership set the tone for the Junior Proteas early in the day when they resumed on 269-8, before eventually being dismissed for 319 as Farhan Ahmed finished with 4-78.

England began their second innings far more confidently with Ben Dawkins (33) and Archie Vaughan (44) putting on 64 for the opening wicket, before Mason struck to remove the former, caught by Muhammad Bulbulia.

The latter was next to go when he was trapped lbw by Daniels (1-31). The away side then lost two more quick wicket, Aaryan Sawant run out by Jorich van Schalkwyk for 11 and Ben Mayes sent back lbw for nought by Jason Rowles (1-46).

But Kesh Fonseka (39) and Thomas Rew (71 off 71 balls, 12 fours) dug in with a stand worth 78 for the fifth wicket to put their side back in control at 184-4.

Divan de Villiers (1-30) finally managed to land a breakthrough, before Mason was further rewarded for his perseverance with three more wickets.

By the close, though, resistance was coming from Jack Home (34*) as the stubborn English tail prevented the hosts from finishing off the innings.

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