AUSTRALIA has drawn level in the 2023 Under 19 Ashes series with a seven-wicket win over England at Alan Pettigrew Oval today. In the second of two four-day matches before short form cricket takes over, the hosts chased down a tricky target of 187 on the final day.

Hugh Weibgen and Luke Holt remained at the crease come stumps on day three, with the Aussies requiring 53 runs at three wickets down. The pair resumed proceedings after a rain delay in the morning, and kept their wickets in tact en route to notching up the winning runs.

Earlier, the tourists opted to bat first but were skittled for 165, before conceding a first innings lead on the opening day. Danial Ibrahim (54) was the only Englishman to pass a half-century, while Will Salzmann (3-56) led a terrific team bowling effort, with four of the five bowlers used claiming multiple poles.

The Aussies ended up 21 runs ahead at the close of day one, spearheaded by 76 from Ethan Jamieson atop the order. Skipper Joel Davies and Liam Blackford were the not-out batters though, and the former went on to chalk up a fine 84.

A handy 115-run partnership between Davies and number nine Charlie Anderson (64) moved Australia’s lead into triple-figures, before a total of 346 saw the hosts land 181 runs ahead. In reply, England very nearly knocked it off by stumps on day two, trailing by just 14 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Having been 69* at the close of play, Jacob Bethell went on with things to be the only player to score a ton in the match. He finished on 123 and formed consecutive 100-run partnerships with Ben McKinney (69) and James Rew (62), though England only added 78 runs for the last six wickets.

Australia’s bowlers stayed the course throughout a fightback which forced the hosts to use eight bowlers. In another even spread, six of them entered the wickets column and carried on the momentum to race to 3-133 with the bat, setting up the final day victory.

Davies was named player of the match for his first innings knock of 84, and two very handy breakthroughs when bowling in the third innings. His side will now turn its attention to a trio of one-day games in Brisbane next week, from Monday to Friday.

>> Game One recap: England edges home in U19 Ashes opener

SCORECARD

RESULT: Australia (346 & 3-187) def. England (165 & 367) by 7 wickets.
TOSS: England won the toss and elected to bat.
POTM: Joel Davies (Australia)

ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS (165)
Danial Ibrahim 54 (54), Ben McKinney 38 (26), Matty Hurst 27 (71)
Will Salzmann 3-56 (11), Callum Vieler 2-19 (12), Charlie Anderson 2-25 (9)

AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS (346)
Joel Davies 84 (157), Ethan Jamieson 76 (111), Charlie Anderson 64 (87)
Tom Aspinwall 3-67 (18), Jack Harding 3-76 (19), Dominic Kelly 2-69 (14)

ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS (367)
Jacob Bethell 123 (205), Ben McKinney 69 (84), James Rew 62 (107)
Ethan Jamieson 2-25 (5.4), Joel Davies 2-29 (12), Will Salzmann 2-72 (17)

AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS (3-187)
Hugh Weibgen 62* (75), Ethan Jamieson 48 (86), Luke Holt 32* (53)
Bertie Foreman 2-21 (10), Dominic Kelly 1-34 (8), Jack Harding 0-16 (2)

SERIES FIXTURE

FOUR-DAY:

Sunday Jan 29 – February Feb 1  @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane (COMPLETED)
Monday Feb 6 – Thursday Feb 9 @ Alan Pettigrew Oval, Brisbane (COMPLETED)

50-OVER:

Monday Feb 13 @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane
Wednesday Feb 15 @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane
Friday Feb 17 @ Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane

T20:

Friday Feb 19: @ Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane