First blood to England Under-19s Down Under

England's youngsters have done what they insisted they could do on departing for their tour of Australia - win.

The Under-19s side triumphed in a thrilling finish to the first four-day youth Test at Adelaide after putting on an excellent display in the field.

Set 284 to win, Australia fell just 14 runs short of their target. thanks mainly to a remarkable bowling effort from skipper Bilal Shafayat, who had already scored a century and a half century in his two innings. He added six for 54 in the final day to ensure that his batting efforts didn't go to waste.

England took just 44 overs to dismiss Australia, after Nick Thornicroft and Tim Bresnan began the day with a priceless partnership of 72 for the last England wicket. Thornicroft was eventually stumped by wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite for 37.

Australia's batsmen began in their usual style, putting on 68 off 11 overs before Liam Davis became Shafayat's first victim for 34. His opening partner Matthew Harrison followed two balls later, caught by Samit Patel off Bresnan for 32.

When Greg Hunt went cheaply, caught by Liam Plunkett off Shafayat, Australia were in trouble at 76 for three.

Keith Skewes and Theo Doropoulos took the score past the hundred mark before Skewes was lbw to Plunkett. Doropoulos fell lbw to Patel for 40, and despite an excellent 65 from Michael Bright, England were scenting victory.

Bresnan accounted for Aaron Bird (30) before Shafayat had Crosthwaite caught by Ravinder Bopara. Darren Cullen was trapped lbw, but Luke Butterworth managed some last-ditch resistance with an unbeaten 24.

When Shafayat had Matthew Gale caught behind by Andrew Hodd, England's joy was unconfined. They are one up with two to play.