South Africa under-19 made a winning start to their Youth ODI series against England under-19 with a convincing six-wicket victory at Grace Road in Leicester on Tuesday.
After electing to bowl first, South Africa produced a disciplined all-round bowling performance to dismiss England for just 158 in 33.5 overs before cruising to the target in only 33 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
England looked to have made a promising start thanks to Ben Dawkins, who struck 44 from 50 deliveries with seven fours and a six. However, the innings never gathered lasting momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
The breakthrough came when JJ Basson trapped Harry Wallace lbw before Bandile Mbatha removed Caleb Falconer and later dismissed Will Bennison and Manny Lumsden to finish with excellent figures of 3/23 from six overs.
Jason Rowles then ripped through the lower middle order, claiming 3/20 in 7.5 overs, while Bayanda Majola picked up two wickets. A sharp run out from Mbatha to remove Dawkins further dented England’s progress as they slipped from 70/2 to 118/8.
Lumsden provided some late resistance with a brisk 30 from 25 balls, but England were eventually bowled out for 158.
South Africa’s chase suffered an early setback when Nkosana Sibiya was dismissed for four in the second over, but captain Jason Rowles quickly shifted the momentum.
The skipper played positively from the outset, smashing 42 off 40 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes, to put South Africa firmly on course.
Although Jorich van Schalkwyk and Rowles both departed before the halfway mark, Muhammed Bulbulia anchored the chase superbly. The right-hander compiled a composed unbeaten 55 from 66 balls, striking six boundaries as he ensured there would be no late drama.
Debutant Joshua van Biljon also made an encouraging contribution with 23 from 45 deliveries in a 78-run fourth-wicket partnership with Bulbulia that effectively sealed the contest.
Paul James remained unbeaten on five as South Africa reached 159/4 with 17 overs to spare, completing an emphatic victory.
The tourists now lead the three-match Youth ODI series 1-0 heading into the second match.
