England Under-19s fell 45 runs short of what would have been the second-highest successful run chase in Youth Test history, despite a fighting 102 from Caleb Falconer in the fourth innings against South Africa Under-19.
The Youth Test was played at Beckenham following the three-match Youth ODI series, which England won 2-1. South Africa, however, bounced back in the four-day match, taking a 75-run first-innings lead after bowling England out for 220. The visitors were led by Muhammad Bulbulia's resolute 98 off 206 balls as they posted 295. Rocky Flintoff's third successive half-century across formats helped England cross the 200-run mark, but the hosts still fell well short of South Africa's total.
South Africa produced a stronger batting performance in the second innings. Despite no batter crossing 60, they accumulated 310 to set England a target of 386 for victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
England made a steady start, adding 61 for the opening wicket, but soon slipped to 95-3 before losing another two wickets to be reduced to 171-5. Caleb Falconer, who first came into the limelight with a 63-ball century in the Under-19 World Cup final against India earlier this year, scored 102 from 160 deliveries to keep England in the hunt. He found good support from Manny Lumsden, who made 51, but their dismissals within three overs of each other swung the match firmly back in South Africa's favour.
The lower order mounted a late resistance to take England to 340, but JJ Basson's seven-wicket haul ensured the hosts fell just short of what would have been the second-highest successful chase in Youth Test history. The record remains England Under-19s' 404-6 against Australia Under-19s at Chelmsford in 1991.
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