First Under-19 “Test”, Scarborough
Day one of four: South Africa 232, England 46-1
Middlesex leg-spinner Luke Hollman led the way with four wickets as England Under-19s enjoyed the better of a lively opening day of their two-“Test” series against South Africa in Scarborough.
Hollman, one of five survivors from England’s squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year, relished his first international opportunity in red-ball cricket to earn figures of 25-5-39-4, after being presented with his four-day Under-19s cap before play by Min Patel, the former Kent spinner who has been added to Jon Lewis’s coaching staff this summer.
Essex fast bowler Jack Plom, who missed out on World Cup selection after making his Under-19s debut against India last summer, added the last two wickets to his new-ball breakthrough to end with three for 45.
Worcestershire’s Adam Finch also bowled a lively new-ball spell and was unlucky to take only one wicket; Derbyshire seamer Alfie Gleadall provided good support as first-change in addition to taking an excellent catch to give Hollman his fourth wicket; and Sussex’s Harrison Ward showed why Patel has been impressed by his occasional off-spin to take one for 26 from 13 tidy overs.
Jacob Miltz, a right-hander from Gauteng, fought hard to hold South Africa’s innings together with 61 from 122 balls, until he was trapped lbw by Hollman soon after lunch, to leave the tourists tottering on 121 for six.
But England were then frustrated by Jean de Klerk, who made 53 from 139 balls and shared partnerships of 48 for the seventh wicket with Achille Cloete, and 49 for the ninth with Jarred Jardine, a tall left-hander who ended unbeaten on 33 from 74 balls.
South Africa continued their fightback when Josh Richards took a superb catch at third slip to dismiss the Warwickshire opener Liam Banks off the bowling of Cloete in the first over of England’s reply.
But captain Tom Banton joined Gloucestershire’s Ben Charlesworth, making his debut after a late call-up to the squad, to see England through to the close.