Aaryan Sawant played a determined innings of 83* to help England U19s take a first-innings lead against South Africa U19s on day two of the second Youth Test in Cape Town.
The right-handed batter from Middlesex batted for over five hours, guiding his team to 251/8 at stumps, giving them a 27-run advantage.
Sawant built an important 70-run partnership with Kesh Fonseka, who scored a half-century before being run out by a direct hit from Bandile Mbatha.
England was in trouble after losing four wickets for just 16 runs, with left-arm spinner Nathan Rossouw causing havoc by taking five wickets for 62 runs on a spin-friendly pitch.
Earlier in the innings, Rossouw had also dismissed England’s openers, Archie Vaughan (24) and Ben Dawkins (22), leaving the team at 52/2. Sawant then held firm, ensuring his team stayed in control despite South Africa’s fightback.
He hit five fours and a six in his 228-ball innings, while debutant Alexander Wade also remained unbeaten on seven runs off 58 balls by the close of play.
With England holding a slight advantage heading into day three, the match remains finely poised, with South Africa looking to fight back in the second innings.
Updated on 05 February, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.