Davies stars - but young Lions bow out (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Davies stars - but young Lions bow out

7:53am Monday 20th August 2012 in Cricket

DARWEN’S talented teen Alex Davies made a gritty and determined 54 – but his efforts could not help England into the semi-final of the ICC Under 19 World Cup as they were beaten by South Africa yesterday.

Davies won praise for the nature of his knock but the Lions were made to pay for a batting collapse as they exited the cup courtesy of the 103-run loss in Townsville.

Adam Ball’s men appeared well placed to seal a semi-final berth when, chasing 245, they reached 102-1 after 27 overs on the back of healthy contributions from Ben Foakes and Davies.

However, Foakes was then dismissed for 54 and England’s last nine wickets fell for the addition of 39 runs, with off-spinner Prenelan Subreyan returning 4-24.

Foakes and Davies aside, no other batsman was able to reach double figures South Africa had earlier been dismissed for 244 from the final ball of the 50th over. Essex left-armer Reece Topley claimed 3-45 and also effected a run-out.

Daniel Bell-Drummond played on to Lizaad Williams early in England’s reply, but Foakes and Davies shared a patient partnership of exactly 100 to put the Proteas under pressure.

Foakes started to accelerate by taking 13 from Shaylin Pillay’s first over, only to then be caught behind looking to cut Subrayen.

Wickets tumbled thereafter and South Africa were in full control by the time Davies became the seventh to depart, stumped off Subrayen.

England will now play Bangladesh in the fifth-place play-off semi-final tomorrow.

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