ECB National Academy XI suffer defeat at the hands of South Australia 2nd XI

The ECB National Academy XI has been defeated by the South Australia 2nd XI in Adelaide in the most recent match of the winter programme. The state side won by 7 wickets after being set 189 to win in their second innings.

The Academy were in trouble from the outset, being bowled out for just 214 on the first day of a match that was scheduled to last four days. Only the captain made a sizeable contribution to an inadequate total when Yorkshire's Matthew Wood scored 94, opening the batting. Four other batsmen got to 20 or more, but none exceeded 35 to provide Wood with suitable support.

As a contrast, three South Australian batsmen recorded fifties with Nathan Adcock leading the way with 67 batting at number seven. Darren Dempsey scored 64 and there was an innings of 58 from Daniel Harris. There were three wickets apiece for Alex Tudor and Ryan Sidebottom.

Batting again with a substantial first innings deficit of 80, the Academy did better thanks to a partnership of 120 for the seventh wicket between Nicky Peng (75) and Tudor (70). Graeme Swann scored a useful 36 at number nine, but although a total of 268 represented a major recovery from 88 for 6, it was not enough to stretch the home side who completed their victory on the third day.