SA U19 VS ENG U19 MATCH 10

Right then, that's all from this game, where we had a damp end to what was turning out to be a riveting run chase. England Under-19 take home the two points from this rain-affected encounter and have strengthened their position at the top of Group B. We have three games lined up for Wednesday, 24th January where Namibia will take on Sri Lanka, Pakistan will lock horns with Nepal, and the West Indies will go up against Scotland. All three games will begin at 1.30 pm GMT (8.00 am GMT), but our build-up will begin much sooner. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Ben McKinney, the skipper of England Under-19, expresses great satisfaction with the team's recent victory, highlighting their current favourable position. He credits Tazeem Ali for entering the game, taking crucial wickets, and altering the course of play. Feels that despite the opposition's strong start, they were focused on seeing off the fast bowlers. Ends by saying that the team maintained an advantage on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, ensuring a comfortable win.

The captain of South Africa Under-19, Juan James says that the batting let them down but the fighting spirit was a huge positive. Adds that they will look to not lose as many wickets as they did during the middle overs. Mentions that they take pride in themselves in the fight and they are keen to finish the group stage with a win.

Eddie Jack is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar bowling performance. He says that playing in India before Christmas was a really good experience and he learnt a lot there. Mentions that he is happy to bring that experience here and he always looks to back his strengths. States that he looks for wickets at every moment in the game. Shares that his coaches have been a massive influence and he has taken inspiration from a lot of senior players. Ends by saying that he has big goals for his career but he is taking one step at a time to fulfill them.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after being inserted into bat, South Africa Under-19 were off to a strong start. Steve Stolk took the aggressive approach in the first Powerplay and laid a solid foundation alongside Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Despite the fall of two quick wickets, Stolk went on to get to his fifty, and Richard Seletswane kept the momentum going to ensure that their side did not lose their way. A brain-fade moment for Stolk led to his downfall, which triggered a mini-collapse as they went on to lose wickets in quick succession. Dewan Marais displayed a counter-attacking brand of batting to keep the runs flowing but failed to kick on, which left skipper Juan James with all to do. James tried his best but could not muster support from the tail. Thanks to the 19-run stand for the last wicket, South Africa limped their way to 230. For England Under-19, Jaydn Denly, Eddie Jack, and Tazeem Ali combined well to pick up three wickets each.

Having failed to bat the full quota of 50 overs, South Africa Under-19 finished well short of the total they had in mind. Tristan Luus set the tone with the early breakthrough his side so desperately needed. After getting that wicket, Luus and Kwena Maphaka seemed to try a bit too hard, lost their lines and lengths, and ended up giving loose deliveries. With not a big total to defend, South Africa were left scrambling for wickets. Having been dismissed for a duck with the bat, Romashan Pillay stepped up with the ball and accounted for the English skipper. South Africa had their tails up at that moment but just could not build on that scalp. As a result, they were left well behind in the game and the rain made sure that they did not get anything from the fixture.

In their pursuit of 231, England Under-19 were dealt an early blow in the form of Jaydn Denly. Noah Thain looked a bit tentative at the start as well, but skipper Ben McKinney got a few boundaries away to ease off the pressure created by the South African pacers. Both batters grew in confidence and ensured that England did not lose any more wickets in the first Powerplay. Just when both batters were looking at ease in the middle, McKinney played down the wrong line to fall two runs short of his fifty. After his departure, Thain took the mantle and began to find boundaries on his way to fifty. He found good support from Hamza Shaikh, who was unfazed despite copping a nasty blow on the helmet first up. The duo kept the scoreboard ticking, and by doing so, they ensured that England had the chase under control before the lightning came, which subsequently brought rain to halt the proceedings.

It's official! We are not going to have any further play here at the JB Marks Oval. It is England Under-19 who have emerged victorious by 36 runs via the DLS method. This was not the finish we were expecting, and even though the rain stopped, the match officials felt that there was not enough time for the ground staff to get the field ready for resumption given the puddles that formed in the outfield.

UPDATE - 8.35 pm IST (3.05 pm GMT) - We are afraid it's still bad news from the stadium as the rain is still quite steady and there are quite a few puddles formed inside the 30-yard circle and the outfield. Even if the rain stops, the start of play is still going to take time. Let's hope we get to see any cricket, if at all the full game. As it stands, England Under-19 are 36 runs ahead of the DLS par score at 28.3 overs. If we do not have any more action, England Under-19 will be at an advantage with the D/L method and will grab the 2 points.

UPDATE - 8.10 pm IST (2.40 pm GMT) - Nothing much has changed since the last update, as the weather does not seem to have improved for the play to resume at the JB Marks Oval. It looks like we are in a longer delay than we had anticipated. In case you were wondering, we have completed 20 overs in both innings, meaning that we will have a result in this game, regardless of the resumption of the play. Stay tuned for more news.

UPDATE - 7.31 pm IST (2.01 pm GMT) - Uh oh! The umpires have spotted lightning in the distance, and they have made the wise decision to stop the play for now, keeping in mind the safety of everyone involved. The ground staff reckon that the rain might just be around the corner, and as a precautionary measure, they have covered the square. The skies do look gloomy and threatening, but let's hope that it all clears up soon. Stick around for further updates.

Hurls it on a back of a length, on off, Hamza Shaikh gets on his toes and punches it towards point.

On a good length, on off, this is played straight to cover by Hamza Shaikh.

FOUR! Not in control but Hamza Shaikh will take it as he gets his first boundary! Short and wide outside off, Hamza Shaikh throws his hands at the delivery and gets an outside edge that flies over first slip and beats the diving third man fielder to his left for a boundary.

FOUR! Short and punished! Mokoena goes short and on off, Noah Thain gets this one at a good height and nails the pull. Hits it flat and well in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

This is on a fuller length, on off, Noah Thain drives it without much timing to mid off.

Uppish but safe! Length delivery, on off, Noah Thain drives it on the rise and it falls just short of the fielder at cover.