Prem Sisodiya and Tom Scriven were the all-round stars of a third consecutive win for England’s Under-19s in their Tri-Series in South Africa today.
England made seven changes to the team who beat South Africa in their second game last Sunday, and slipped to 36 for three in the absence of Savin Perera and Harry Brook, who were both rested.
They were still struggling to post a competitive total at 105 for five despite 42 from 40 balls from Somerset’s Fin Trenouth, in a match that was reduced to 42 overs per side by heavy overnight rain in Potchefstroom.
But Sisodiya, a product of Glamorgan’s Academy who was making his England debut and had been handed his cap by selector John Abrahams before the start, joined Scriven to hit 63 in a sixth-wicket stand of 125.
Scriven, who took two for 22 on his debut in England’s previous win against Namibia last week, batted on to reach an unbeaten 88 from 72 balls with eight fours and two sixes – out of a total of 269 for six.
Roman Walker, the other Glamorgan player in the squad who was also making his debut, then took an early wicket in the Namibia reply, before the spinners took over.
Derbyshire’s Hamidullah Qadri claimed two for 26 in seven overs of off-spin, and Sisodiya polished off the tail to end with four for 40 with his slow left arm.
Scriven also chipped in with a wicket, and England delighted their fielding coach Chris Taylor by claiming two run-outs with direct hits – one for Scriven, and the other for his Hampshire team-mate Felix Organ.
“Scriven and Sisodiya both played really well, because we were under a bit of pressure,” said England’s head coach Richard Dawson.
“Tom played especially maturely and you could say his was a match-winning contribution. But Prem gave him great support in their stand, and then the pair of them also made a contribution with the ball – on a pitch that suited spin and taking the pace off.
“We were pleased with the run outs as well. We’ve been talking a lot about our fielding standards looking ahead to the World Cup, and the lads were outstanding in the day-night game against South Africa – but Tayls was keen for them to convert a few run-out chances, so he was pleased with that.”
England are now guaranteed to play South Africa in Sunday’s final, which will be their last match before heading for New Zealand for the World Cup after Christmas.
But before that they have a dress rehearsal against the South Africans in another day-night game tomorrow. “We put in a seriously good performance to beat them the other night, but we know they’ll come back strong,” added Dawson. “So we’ll have to raise our game again, which is good – it’s all about finding a bit of consistency for us, and so far things have been going well.”