Widely-tipped as a franchise and perhaps international star of the future, Jonathan Bird underlined his potential with a century for South Africa U19 on Tuesday.

The Bishops Diocesan College pupil has been in terrific form throughout what has been an abysmal showing by the hosts in their ongoing seven-match Youth ODI series against Pakistan.

The 18-year-old did a fine job at the top of the order in the series opener, scoring a patient 79-ball 40 though he couldn’t prevent his side falling 17 runs short of the 226-run target.

Having recorded a disappointing duck in Match 2, Bird played no part in the third match of the series. The break appeared to do him the world of good as he notched a run-a-ball 75 in Match 4 which included 10 boundaries and a pair of maximums.

Despite sharing in a century second-wicket stand with opener Ruan Terblanche, the pair’s efforts were in vain as South Africa crumbled to 253 all-out and a series defeat.

Bird has an insatiable appetite for runs and this was once again evident as he kicked on to record his first century of the series in the fifth encounter. His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking by striking at more than a run-a-ball was the bright spot on an otherwise gloomy day for SA U19.

REPORT: BIRD SCORES TON IN SA U19 DEFEAT TO PAKISTAN

That Bird kept his head while those around him lost theirs – there were only three other double-figure scores recorded – says a lot about the character and temperament of the young man. Though Bird’s 95-ball score of 100 came to an end in the 37th over, he can be very pleased with his efforts.

Such performances are unsurprising, though. Bird has been on the radar of fans and selectors alike since a century at the 2018 Coke Week and dominant displays at school level.

With the U19 World Cup in South Africa on the horizon, Bird will undoubtedly be key if the hosts are to give a good account of themselves.

One gets the feeling, however, that performances such as these and the U19 World Cup ahead are just the beginning for Jonathan Bird.

Photo: Gerhard Duraan/Backpage Pix