Shafayat again England Under-17s' hero in tense finish

England Under-17s continued their tour of Australia with a tense victory over South Australia Under-17s at Adelaide on Thursday. In a low-scoring game, Bilal Shafayat steadied the England innings to guide them to a winning total of 163/8 with just two balls to spare.

Shafayat, who made an unbeaten 83 for England on Tuesday, came to the crease at number seven with the England innings faltering at 101/5. The right-hander put on 41 with Alan Coleman (31) to ease the tension before Samit Patel and David Barrick fell in quick succession to leave the visitors on 153/8.

Shafayat smashed two leg-side boundaries in the final over to give England victory, finishing undefeated again on 29. Daniel Franco, who only celebrated his 16th birthday yesterday, was the pick of the South Australia bowlers. In eight overs, he conceded just nine runs, picking up four wickets with his seamers.

The South Australia innings never got going. It was only a 62-run stand for the eighth wicket between Josh McLean and Rian Crane which saved South Australia from humiliiation. Bradley Symes made 35 in the middle order before falling to the off spin of Dan Broadbent.

Broadbent was one of four England bowlers to pick up two scalps to reduce the hosts to 161. England face their Australian counterparts from Monday in a three-day game at Adelaide's No. 2 Oval.