England claim dramatic win in final day thriller

(Main Photo Credit: Brody Grogan Photography)

England's Under-19 Men’s side secured a thrilling 24-run win over Australia in the opening match of their multi-format series in Brisbane, with the four-day contest going right down to the wire.

Late drama struck as a heroic knock from Australia batter Liam Blackford ended with the left-hander on 106 and the home side requiring just 34 for victory with two wickets remaining.

The Victorian was given out appearing to edge a wide Domenic Kelly delivery to first slip, with England opener Ben McKinney taking a sharp catch low to his left.

However, Blackford wasn’t convinced as he stood defiantly in his crease while the visitors celebrated around him.

The two umpires converged and deemed the catch clean, sending a forlorn Blackford on his way for a brilliant hundred, but as the ninth wicket in Australia's chase.

That brought number 11 and off-spinner Harkirat Bajwa to the crease to join WA paceman Josh Vernon, who had already soaked up 69 deliveries as he looked to survive with Blackford.

The tail-end pair looked like they might see Australia over the line for an outstanding fourth-innings chase, however Vernon was narrowly run out to send England into raptures.

The right-hander was coming back for a second after tucking off-spinner Bertie Foreman off his hip but fell agonisingly short of his ground with the square-leg umpire's raised finger the trigger for English delight.

Blackford and skipper Joel Davies resumed in the morning with six wickets in hand and 158 required to win as a close finish loomed.

But Davies was gone in just the third over of the day, edging Foreman to keeper James Rew before he could add to his overnight score of 56.

The Aussies then lost Tom Balkin (2) and Charlie Anderson (0) cheaply as Domenic Kelly continued his brilliant spell, with the fast bowler finishing with second innings figures of 5-69 and player-of-the-match honours.

Tom Straker (12) then failed to get his gloves out of the way of a rising Tom Aspinwall delivery, with his dismissal leaving the Aussies still 104 in arrears with just two wickers remaining.

Blackford had made his way to 43 not out by that stage and was already doing the majority of the scoring as he looked to guide his side to an unlikely victory.

 

Image Id: 900902C7A8654778AE65CCB8085663BD Image Caption: Blackford takes off for a single // Brody Grogan Photography

 

He combined well with Vernon for more than 20 overs, reaching his century when he flicked Aspinwall to fine leg for a single.

Along with Blackford’s stunning stroke play - the stylish batter struck 12 boundaries and two sixes - Vernon's staunch defence had Australia in the box seat at that point.

But soon after, it was England who were celebrating, as they emerged victorious from a see-sawing battle at Allan Border Field.

The two sides will meet in Brisbane again on Monday for their second four-day match, this time at Allan Pettigrew Oval.

Australia v England - Under 19 Series

Four-day matches:

Sunday Jan 29 - February Feb 1: Allan Border Oval, Brisbane, 10am local

Monday Feb 6 - Thursday Feb 9: Alan Pettigrew Oval, Brisbane 10am local

50-over matches:

Monday Feb 13: Allan Border Oval, Brisbane, 10am local

Wednesday Feb 15: Allan Border Oval, Brisbane, 10am local

Friday Feb 17: Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, 9am local

T20 match:

Friday Feb 19: Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane,TBC

Australia Male 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 Male Under 19 Squad: Tom Aspinwall (Lancashire), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Joseph Eckland (Unattached), Bertie Foreman (Sussex), Sheridon Gumbs (Surrey), Jack Harding (Unattached), 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)