Sibley, Alsop lead strong England day

Dominic Sibley led England's excellent progress on the opening day of the second Youth Test with South Africa. Sibley fell one short of a century but guided his side into a strong position.

Sibley hit the headlines at the end of last season when he became the youngest player to score a double century in the County Championship and here gave England an excellent start after they had been sent into bat at Wantage Road.

He fell for 99 to Sibonelo Makhanya, who also had Will Rhodes caught behind late in the day to just take the gloss off what had been a strong first day for the hosts.

Rhodes' partnership with Tom Alsop looked to be taking England to the close but Rhodes fell for 32 after a stand of 58.

But the main partnership of the day was between Sibley and Alsop who added 140 for the second wicket. Hampshire's Alsop closed unbeaten on 72.