England struggling in second youth Test

The Australian Under 19s were indebted to an innings of 113 not out in the second youth "Test" against England in Melbourne. Bright came in with the score on 91 for four in the second innings and had to wait until two more wickets fell before he found a partner in Aaron Bird to turn a useful lead into one of real substance.

Bird's fifty helped Bright to add 126 for the seventh wicket and leave Australia with a lead of 346 at the close of the second day of the four day game. Bright has batted for three and a half hours so far with ten fours and two sixes. Without his innings and the partnership with Bird, Australia might have been vulnerable, for England successfully overcame a first innings deficit in the first match in the series to win.

England had been bowled out for 115 in their first innings, Tim Bresnan adding only one to his overnight score before falling to Bird who was Australia's most successful bowler with four wickets.

Meanwhile in Sydney, the ECB National Academy team were heading for a draw with the New South Wales Institute of Sport at the close of the second day of their four-day match. Chris Read scored 180 opening the batting for the Academy as his side were bowled out for 342. In reply, the home team were 398 for seven by stumps.