Davies’ captain’s knock keeps Aussie 19s in the hunt
Australia’s under-19 clash with England is evenly poised heading into the final day, with the home side needing 158 for victory on day four with six wickets in hand.
Captain Joel Davies (56 not out) and Liam Blackford (3no) are on target in pursuit of 301, after a brave bowling effort on day three kept them a chance of victory.
WA pacer Josh Vernon led a strong early fightback from the Aussie 19s, taking four crucial wickets to wrestle back the momentum after England’s onslaught with the bat late on day two.
Although Vernon and captain Davies did not always deliver the ball with intended execution, they succeeded in their short attack from the English batsmen, who continued their aggressive approach.
Recognizing the visitors’ desire to lay bat on ball, Vernon regularly threw the ball into his half and encouraged powerful hitting, with the plan working almost immediately in the morning session.
Anderson belts one of his four sixes // cricket.com.au
He first had dominant left-hander Ben McKinney, after the opener’s well-timed pull was caught at mid-wicket by Tom Straker.
McKinney (70 off 45) added just five more to his overnight total but showed intent and class in spades during his innings which included 12 boundaries.
Vernon then had Daniel Ibrahim and Charlie Tear caught in the deep pull-off, before striking a telling blow when another of England’s aggressive batsmen, Matthew Hurst, smashed a short ball into the hands of Hugh Weibgen at mid-wicket for 32 of 37. balls.
However, yesterday’s hero for England, Bertie Foreman, showed his abilities with the bat this time and scored an unbeaten 58 at No.10 to regain momentum for his side.
Australia U19s before the start of play on day one // cricket.com.au
The stylish left-hander played some daring link shots in his whirlwind 59-ball knock, finding the boundary seven times to go with one reverse hit that went all the way for a six.
He combined with Domenic Kelly (32) to help England reach 254, giving their side an even 300-run buffer in the fourth innings.
Australia’s chase got off to a poor start when Harjas Singh was caught well at second slip off Kelly’s bowling, and England’s sharp skills in the field didn’t stop there.
Ethan Jamieson fell victim to a one-handed catch and bowled by Ibrahim, with the effort as nonchalant as it was brilliant.
Wicketkeeper Lachlan Aitken and Davies then formed a strong third-wicket partnership, before the former was caught low by his opposite number when James Rew dived low to his left.
Weibgen hit two massive sixes before players left the field due to poor light, but he was unable to add to his tally when play resumed soon after, out for 17 off 14, with Davies’ wicket a deciding factor in tomorrow’s decider would be day when Australia went 4-142 at stumps.
Australia v England – Under 19 Series
Four-day matches:
Sunday 29 January – 1 February: Allan Border Oval, Brisbane, 10am local
Monday 6 February – Thursday 9 February: Alan Pettigrew Oval, Brisbane 10am local
50-over matches:
Monday 13 February: Allan Border Oval, Brisbane, 10am local
Wednesday February 15: Allan Border Oval, Brisbane, 10am local
Friday February 17: Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, 9am local
T20 Match:
Friday 19 February: Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, TBC
Australia Men’s Under 19 squad: Harry Dixon (VIC Metro/St Kilda Cricket Club), Liam Blackford (VIC Country/Geelong Cricket Club), Ethan Jamieson (NSW Metro/University of NSW Cricket Club), Harjas Singh (NSW Metro/Blacktown Mounties) Cricket Club ), Joel Davies (NSW Metro/Manly Warringah Cricket Club), Hugh Weibgen (QLD Metro/Valley District Cricket Club), Lachlan Aitken (QLD Metro/Gold Coast District Cricket Club), William Salzmann (NSW Metro/Campbelltown Camden District). Cricket Club), Tom Balkin (QLD Metro/Toombul District Cricket Club), Mahli Beardman (Western Australia/Melville Cricket Club), Josh Vernon (Western Australia/Pegs Creek Cricket Club), Charlie Anderson (NSW Metro/Northern District Cricket Club), Tom Straker (NSW Metro/Sutherland District Cricket Club), Luke Holt (Western Australia/Willetton District Cricket Club), Harkirat Bajwa (VIC Country/Melbourne Cricket Club)
England Under 19s: Tom Aspinwall (Lancashire), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Joseph Eckland (Unbound), Bertie Foreman (Sussex), Sheridon Gumbs (Surrey), Jack Harding (Unbound), Alex Horton (Glamorgan), Matthew Hurst (Lancashire), Dan Ibrahim (Sussex), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Dominic Kelly (Hampshire), Mitchell Killeen (Durham), Archie Lenham (Sussex), Stanley McAlindon (Durham), Yousef Majid (Surrey), Ben McKinney (Durham ). ), James Rew (Somerset), Jamal Richards (Essex), Harry Singh (Unattached), Charlie Tear (Sussex), George Thomas (Somerset), Ross Whitfield (Durham)
