BEN Charlesworth was in the runs as England Under 19s beat South Africa in the first of their two Test matches yesterday.

The Oxfordshire all-rounder, who was in the team alongside fellow county plyer Harrison Ward, finished on 41 not out as England secured a convincing nine-wicket victory in Scarborough.

Charlesworth (8) and Ward (7) failed to make an impact in the first innings, although the latter did produce a fine spell of 1-26 off 13 overs as South Africa were dismissed for 232, having opted to bat first.

But Charlesworth showed his class in the second innings, his knock coming off just 37 balls.