Vaughan takes five as England U19s close on victory

Second Youth Test (day three of four), Cape Town

South Africa Under-19s: 224 (James 84, Jack 3-42) &amp, 145-8 (Rowles 71 Vaughan 5-18)

England Under-19s: 353 (Sawant 130, Rossouw 5-74)

South Africa lead by 16 runs with two wickets remaining

Archie Vaughan, England’s under-19 captain, took five wickets to put his side on the verge of defeating South Africa in the series-clinching youth test.

On day three, South Africa appeared to be in a comfortable position with 108-3 going into the third test before Vaughan unwarrantedly entered the fray as the sixth-change bowler.

The Somerset all-rounder, son of former England captain Michael, then swung the match his side’s way in Cape Town with 13.5 overs of off-spin.

As they came to an end to the day with a lead of only 16 runs and two wickets in hand, the Proteas fell into the middle order and lost five wickets for 37, all to Vaughan.

In the drawn first youth test between the teams in Stellenbosch last month, Vaughan took just one wicket.

England had earlier begun the day on 251-8 but South Africa’s hopes of taking the tourists ‘ final two wickets cheaply were thwarted by Middlesex’s Aaryan Sawant.

Sawant, who was eventually run out for 130, shared a 127-run ninth-wicket stand with Alexander Wade, who finished unbeaten on 49, before England were finally bowled out for 353 in their first innings.

Vaughan made his Somerset debut in July 2024, playing in four first-class and seven 50-over matches last year.

In the County Championship, he took 15 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, but also caught the eye with his off breaks.