Hameed leads strong England reply

Fifties from Joe Weatherley, Haseeb Hameed and Callum Taylor led England Under-19s' strong reply as they converted a 245-run deficit into a 59-run lead by the end of the third day of the Youth Test in Perth.

Resuming on 0 for 38, Weatherley and Max Holden added only nine runs in the morning before David Grant had Holden caught behind for 24. Weatherly, joined by Hameed, rebuilt the innings and ground the Australian U-19 attack with a 75-run partnership. The stand, however, ended when Weatherley was also caught behind, in the 47th over, for 68. Four overs later Mosun Hussain departed for 8 as England were reduced to 3 for 133.

Australia may have sensed an opening at that point but Taylor, who was more attacking, complemented Hameed well and took his team forward, courtesy a 120-run partnership. Wicketkeeper Ryan Davies then chipped in with 42 off 66 balls but his knock was cut short when he became Henry Thornton's second victim, the first being Taylor. Aaron Thomason, coming in at No. 7, hung in with Hameed as England rallied to end the day at 5 for 342 after a disappointing first-innings effort with the bat. Hameed was unbeaten on 91 off 256, which featured seven fours.