The first Youth Test match between SA U19 and England U19 ended in a draw after the SA U19s declared on 300-7 at Cambridge on Monday, with an overall lead of 381 runs.

With both sides having made big totals in their first innings and time lost to bad weather as well, the chances of an outright decision were always going to be slim. To win, England would have had to have surpassed their first innings total of 352-9 declared.

Janneman Malan (83) and Ryan Rickleton (81) both scored half-centuries for the SA U19s in their second innings, while Andile Phehlukwayo contributed 41.

England’s bowlers once again struggled to take wickets at regular intervals, forcing their captain, Will Rhodes, to give everyone a bowl and allowing the visitors to dominate the day with the bat. Rickleton and Matthew Christensen (34) shared a 99-run opening stand before the latter was removed by Brad Taylor, who was the leading wicket taker with 3-42.

The second-wicket partnership only produced 14 runs as Taylor struck again, this time dismissing Marques Ackerman for 4. Rickleton was joined by fellow half-centurion, Malan, for a 32-run, third-wicket partnership before the former was caught and bowled by Rob Jones in the 52nd over.

Taylor’s third wicket came when he ended Grant Roelofsen’s innings, dismissing him for five. Visiting captain, Sibonelo Makhanya, put on a 32-run partnership with Malan, but miscommunication saw him run out for 14.

Malan shared a 77-run, sixth-wicket partnership with Phehlukwayo before he was removed for a well-played 83. Stefan Klopper added an unbeaten 21 runs before South Africa declared.

The stand-out performance of the match was Roelofsen’s 149 in the first innings on his international debut. That contribution helped SA U19 post 433 in their first innings, before England replied with 352.

The second Youth Test will take place at Northampton from 7-10 August.

Report provided by CSA.