Kent teenager Ekansh Singh impressed for England Lions during their clash with South Africa A on Friday.
The 19-year-old fell just five runs short of his maiden first-class century as he made 95 in England’s total of 193 all out. South Africa reached 73-2 in reply by the close.
It was Singh’s best first-class score, beating the 71 he made against Derbyshire for Kent at the end of September last year.
Although he clearly enjoys playing at Beckenham, having hit 66 not out in Kent’s rain-affected draw with Durham earlier this month.
All-rounder Singh said: “I’m a happy man, though in the moment I was very disappointed not to get those five runs.
“At the end of the day I’ve done myself good and I’ve done the team even better, and by that I mean I’ve put us in the position where we are still in the game.
“I’ll look back on this as a staging post innings. I’ll definitely remember it for a long time. It will remind me pretty much of what I am capable of and give me confidence to do that more and more.
“I wasn’t thinking about the scoreboard that much (when I came in). I knew we were five down, but at the end of the day you are still facing a ball coming down at you, so all I was doing was believing that my ability would hold me in good stead and allow me to put pressure back on them.
“I was thinking about walking out with intent and purpose and show them I’ve got something to throw back at them. I was thinking when I was batting it was a bit of deja vu because my hundred for the under-19s last year was in a similar situation against India where I was in during the first session as well or just after it.
“It made it easier being here as I’ve walked down these steps a fair amount of times whether it is the 2s or 1s for Kent. I love playing here.”
Singh’s unbeaten 95 came off 139 balls and featured 13 fours and one six.
Report via ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
