England Under-19s launched a brilliant fightback, giving themselves real hope of saving the one-off ‘Test’ with Australia Under-19s at the WACA Ground.
When the hosts took a first-innings lead of 283, the game looked to be up for Joe Weatherley’s side. But Weatherley was among three half-centurions today as the tourists posted 342 for five, putting them 59 ahead going into the last day.
Weatherley contributed 68 from the top of the order and then shared a second-wicket stand of 75 with Haseeb Hameed, who went on to top-score with a highly-patient 91 not out from 256 balls.
Hameed and Callum Taylor put on the best partnership of the day, 120 for the fourth wicket, to keep Australia’s talented attack at bay.
Taylor freely scored 72, and Ryan Davies followed suit as his 42 dominated a fifth-wicket alliance of 68 alongside Hameed.
Head of the England Development Programme Andy Hurry said: “Our fightback was led by our captain Joe Weatherley, who was heavily involved in two partnerships, the first with Max Holden and the second with Haseeb Hameed.
“A fluent 72 from Callum Taylor took the fight right to the Aussies with some majestic strokeplay during a 120-run partnership with Hameed.
“Hameed showed incredible inner drive, batting for five and a half hours, building valuable partnerships with Weatherley, Taylor and Davies.
“Whatever the outcome of this game, the team has shown real resilience and character.
“Looking ahead to tomorrow, we will need to break the game down into manageable periods to ensure that we maintain focus and concentration.
“We have given ourselves a chance, which when considering our position on day one [England were 11 for four], is testimony to the spirit of the squad.”