19-year-old Luke Doneathy demonstrated his all-round cricketing ability when he scored an outstanding century for England Young Lions ‘North’ this week at the ECB Performance Centre at Loughborough University.
Doneathy who progressed through the Northumberland county age group system before joining Durham Cricket Academy, notched a well-made 103 from 161 balls with 16 fours and 1 six, to help the North show a real fightback against the South.
Facing a first innings deficit of 91, Doneathy came together with Lancashire’s George Bell to put together a gigantic 195 run stand after coming together at 86/5.
Despite Doneathy and Bell’s superb stand, it wasn’t enough to push the North towards any sort of victory as the South won by three wickets chasing 254.
Doneathy who plays his club cricket at North East Premier League side Benwell Hill, was also economical with the ball, bowling six overs for 12 runs in the second innings, and six overs taking 1/22 in the first.
Durham Academy team mate Jonathan Bushnell was the third highest run scorer of the second innings to Bushnell and Bell, with 36 from 65 balls with five fours. While Brodie Glendinning also featured claiming 1/32 from seven overs bowled.
Doneathy and Bushnell will be back in action for the England Young Lions North next weekend [Saturday September 26 & Sunday September 27] as they take on the South in two one day fixtures.
Durham’s Academy Director John Windows is also involved as one of the four coaches in the ECB Young Lions coaching staff.