SA U19 draw with Sri Lanka

Cape Town - The first Youth Test between Sri Lanka and the South Africa under-19s has ended in a draw in spite of a stellar batting performance by Joshua van Heerden and Jerome Bossr.

The pair’s 190-run partnership for the third wicket broke the SA U19 record of 164 by Neil McKenzie and Boeta Dippenaar during South Africa’s first ever U19 Test at Leeds in 1995. 

Van Heerden hit 108 from 237 deliveries, while Bossr took 248 balls for his 90. They helped move the visitors from their overnight score of 119/2 to 250/6 declared. Sri Lanka’s Thilan Prasan was the pick of the bowlers with 3/32 in 16 overs.

Sri Lanka posted 158/3 in 50 overs before the match was declared a draw.

The hosts’ captain, Avishka Fernando (57*) and Shammu Ashan (52) hit half-centuries to move the innings forward after the loss of Vishva Chathuranga (13) and Pathum Nissanka (14) at the top of their innings. Sanjula Abeywickreme (21*) batted the remainder of the innings with his skipper after Jade de Klerk (2/49) and South Africa captain, Wiaan Mulder (1/38) were the only ones to make an impact with the ball.

The second Youth Test commences on Tuesday, 28 June at Kurunegala.