Teen follows Tendulkar in torching England

Teenager Jason Sangha has joined illustrious company in Townsville after becoming the youngest batsman since India legend Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England.

The highly-rated 18-year-old and fellow young gun Matthew Short both posted their maiden first-class centuries in a marathon final-day partnership for the Cricket Australia XI to frustrate England in their Magellan Ashes tour match at Riverway Stadium.

Sangha, who co-captained Australia's Under-19 side earlier this year, only made his first-class debut in last week's tour match under lights against England in Adelaide but has taken next to no time to find his feet.

At 18 years and 71 days old, Sangha is now behind only Tendulkar – who struck an unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford in 1990 at 17 years and 107 days – among the youngest batsmen to make a first-class ton against England.

The Randwick-born right-hander is also the ninth youngest Australian to make a first-class hundred and the youngest since champion batsman Ricky Ponting.

England had begun the day eyeing an innings victory over their youthful opposition, holding a 144-run lead with the inexperienced CA XI 3-121.

But Sangha and Short weathered an attack featuring seasoned internationals Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali in a stunning display of batting.

Sangha bravely weathered a short ball barrage from England, hooking the likes of speedster Craig Overton with confidence as he and Short put on 263 for the fourth wicket, the second-highest stand ever recorded at the north Queensland venue.

After passing 50 for the first time in first-class cricket, Sangha brought up his maiden century when he worked Woakes to the leg-side and shared an embrace with Short.

Sangha later revealed that although he's always copped short-pitched bowling due to often being the youngest player on his team, that was the most intense series of bouncers he's faced in his fledgling career.

"Because I've always been a youngster, every time I walked out to bat ... I always know I'm going to cop a few short ones," a smiling Sangha, who last year became the youngest player ever contracted by NSW, said after play.

"Wearing a chest guard and an arm guard probably gives it away a little as well.

"I was trying to be gutsy. It didn't really matter how I looked, it didn't bother me. It was more about batting as long as I could.

"You learn a lot from these games, especially against international teams."

The 22-year-old Short, still yet to make his Sheffield Shield debut for his native Victoria, brought up his own maiden ton a short time later off 190 balls.

Short finished unbeaten on 134 off 264 balls in the drawn encounter with the match called late in the day when the CA XI were 4-364.

Sangha said he and Short set small targets along the way in their partnership which helped them through tough periods.

"It took a while to get there (to his 100) in the 90s but all the hard work is paying off," Sangha said at the tea break. 

"I'm glad I got to make this hundred with some great guys next to me, and also be alongside Matt Short for his hundred.

"It's great fun to be out there with 'Shorty'. We've just been telling ourselves to get to the next 50 (runs), then the next 50. I'm really enjoying it."

Sangha was finally out sweeping to leg-spinner Mason Crane for 133 (off 226 balls) in the final session, the only wicket England took all day.

YOUNGEST PLAYERS TO SCORE A FIRST-CLASS CENTURY AGAINST ENGLAND:

17y, 107d - Sachin Tendulkar, India, 1990

18y, 68d - Jason Sangha, CA XI, 2017-18

18y, 223d - Hashan Tillakaratne, Sri Lanka, 1985-86

18y, 246d - Mushtaq Mohammad, Pakistan, 1962

18y, 250d - Gursharan Singh, India U22, 1981-82

18y, 290d - Adrian Barath, West Indies A 2008-09

*** Age at start of match.

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2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21