By Niall Hickman
A magnificent sixth wicket stand of 144 between Aaron Thomason and Ryan Davies steered England close to safety on day three of the Ashes ‘test’ at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Australia’s Under-19s were 91-3 at the close in their second innings, 145 runs ahead, with Thomason convinced there could still be a final day result in this clash between cricket’s oldest rivals.
Thomason and Davies’ efforts helped England reach 392 all out, a sterling effort bearing in mind they had been 161-5 and staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
Warwickshire’s Thomason predicts there will still be a result in the match, with 96 overs still to be bowled and with leg spinner Matthew Parkinson having already collected eight wickets in the game, he could be right.
Thomason said: “The fight we showed with the bat has set the platform for the whole game. I think there is going to be a result at the end of this match and I think we will be at the better end of it.
“It was a big partnership between us. We showed a lot of fight with the bat and that has put us in a fairly good position. We are a lot happier now looking at the scoreboard and if we can take a few wickets early on then we are massively in the game.
“I bat and bowl, but whatever comes up I’m happy as long as it helps the team.”
Thomason and Davies carried the innings after Wednesday’s collapse and England ploughed on against some tired Aussie bowling to register a near-400 total.
Then Parkinson, looping away for over after over, chipped in with another two wickets in Australia’s second innings giving the young Lancastrian eight in the match.
Some quick wickets on the final day could set up a thrilling finale in what has been a fantastic advert for youth cricket at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Davies said: “Thommo and I batted together in the test match in Australia earlier this year and we were 10-4 then, so it was very enjoyable. It was good to get through it because it was nerve-wracking and a big 144 partnership feels very good. They don’t let up, but we showed strong fighting qualities together.
“I think people have assumed this game is dead but it is not. I think there will be a result.”
Australia 446 all out and 91-3, England 392 all out. Australia are 145 runs ahead with seven second innings wickets standing.