Hampshire Academy pair Dom Kelly (pictured above) and Eddie Jack produced notable individual performances despite England's eight-wicket loss to Australia in the opening Under-19 'Test' at Worcester.
England were on the back foot after being dismissed for a first innings 174, but a four-wicket spell by Canford's Eddie Jack (4-62) kept Australia down to 348 and a lead of 164.
England trimmed the deficit with a second innings opening stand of 138, only to collapse to 246-8 and a narrow lead of 82. But left-hander Kelly, who also did well in the recent ODI series, seized the opportunity to strike a 13-boundary 74 not out and share a late stand with 15-year old Notts spinner Farhan Ahmed (31) and lift England to 363 all out. Australia got the 191 runs they required for the loss of two wickets,
The second Youth 'Test' begins at Northampton on Saturday.
England were on the back foot after being dismissed for a first innings 174, but a four-wicket spell by Canford's Eddie Jack (4-62) kept Australia down to 348 and a lead of 164.
England trimmed the deficit with a second innings opening stand of 138, only to collapse to 246-8 and a narrow lead of 82. But left-hander Kelly, who also did well in the recent ODI series, seized the opportunity to strike a 13-boundary 74 not out and share a late stand with 15-year old Notts spinner Farhan Ahmed (31) and lift England to 363 all out. Australia got the 191 runs they required for the loss of two wickets,
The second Youth 'Test' begins at Northampton on Saturday.
Eddie Jack pictured by Neil Marshall - England U19s v Australia at Hove.
