Cricket: Shah rescues England with century

South Africa Under-19 506-9 dec England Under-19 291 and 274-3 Match drawn

A century from Owais Shah, the England Under-19 captain, helped his side to a draw in the second Test against South Africa, levelling the two-match series in Fochville yesterday.

Shah, who made just 13 in the first innings, made certain this time, hitting a series of sumptuous cover drives in his 104 not out from 150 balls, with 10 fours and a six. The Middlesex batsman added 149 for the third wicket with Michael Gough, who batted with his customary discipline, for 54 off 190 balls.

England were 36 without loss overnight, and South Africa were unable to separate Stephen Peters and Robert Key until half an hour before lunch when the openers went within 15 balls. Peters had played particularly well, cutting out the rash shots which have often been his downfall. Having reached 50, though, the Essex youngster fell to the left-arm chinaman bowler Gulam Bodi as he tried a pull through midwicket.

Key tried an equally inadvisable shot, sweeping at the same bowler and was bowled round his legs for 36. However, Gough and Shah saw England through.

South Africa won toss

SOUTH AFRICA UNDER-19 - First Innings 506 for 9 dec (M van Wyk 188, G Bodi 69, J Myburgh 64; G P Swann 4-90).

ENGLAND UNDER-19 - First Innings 291 (P J Franks 119no).

Second Innings

(Overnight: 36 for 0)

S D Peters b Bodi 55

R W T Key b Bodi 36

M A Gough b Bodi 54

*O A Shah not out 104

G P Swann not out 5

Extras (b5 lb6 nb9) 20

Total (for 3, 102 overs) 274

Fall: 1-97 2-98 3-247.

Did not bat: G R Napier, J C Powell, C P Schofield, P J Franks, J O Grove, N J Wilton. Bowling: Creed 13-2-41-0; Mpitsang 21-6-43-0; Samsodeen 14- 3-30-0; Rudolph 19-2-54-0; Bodi 20-5-51-3; Kent 15-3-44-0.

Umpires: K Hurter and A O'Conner.