Kent’s Ben Dawkins struck a magnificent unbeaten 118, his first List A international hundred to take England Under-19s to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over South Africa in this second Youth One Day International at the cinch County Ground, Northampton.

Dawkins struck 14 fours and three sixes as he and Lancashire’s Rocky Flintoff shared a blistering unbroken partnership of 191 runs off 174 balls. While Flintoff played the supporting role at first, he soon accelerated and smashed 79 as the hosts chased down 228 to win.

For South Africa, Muhammad Bulbulia made 41 and Vihan Pretorius 35, before the tourists slumped to 190 for 9, the impressive Leicestershire left-arm spinner Ali Farooq taking 3 for 29.

Michael Kruiskamp though counterpunched with 47 off 39 balls as South Africa were bowled out off 39.3 overs. James Minto and Ralphie Albert both picked up two wickets apiece.

The result sees England level the three-match series with a game to play.

Minto and Charlie Harmison removed Nkosana Sibiya and South African skipper Jason Rowles early in the South African innings.

Jorich van Schalkwyk hit two inventive punches over backward point off Manny Lumsden but was caught on the boundary attempting a third. That brought Joshua van Biljon together with Bulbulia and the pair rebuilt in a positive partnership of 55 in almost 10 overs.

Albert broke the stand when van Biljon hit straight to long-on, and then bowled Paul James when he chopped on, to leave South Africa in trouble at 127 for 5.

Pretorius though played with intent, smashing Albert straight for six. While Minto returned to pick up Bulbulia through a tame uppercut straight to short cover, Pretorious continued to attack, striking Minto for six over cover.

Farooq however struck next over when he turned one away to draw the edge of Bandile Mbatha’s bat, keeper Harry Wallace taking a sharp catch. Farooq then bowled a double-wicket maiden, picking up Pretorius when a ball rolled off his pad onto his stumps, and JJ Basson who was caught behind.

Kruiskamp though swept Albert and Farooq for sixes and struck Farooq over extra cover before he was last man out.

Against a testing opening burst from South Africa’s quicks, England grew becalmed, managing just 14 off the first seven overs for the loss of Wallace who pushed Basson low to second slip.

Dawkins broke the logjam, slapping Majola through point, while Will Bennison pulled Bandile Mbatha for six. But just as England were starting to motor, Bennison was needlessly run out in a mix-up between the two batters.

Undeterred, Dawkins took two cover boundaries off Kruiskamp’s first over, crunched Mbatha through the covers and pulled over midwicket before moving to his half-century.

Flintoff went through the gears, pulling both Kruiskamp and Rowles for sixes over the West Stand and duly advanced to 50 via two further pull shots.

Dawkins moved into the 90s when he pulled for six over midwicket off Majola and played a similar shot off Rowles to reach his century, victory arriving shortly after.