Sam Northeast’s battling 63 could not prevent England Under-19s falling short of South Africa’s total by the same margin in the second one-day international in Paarl on Wednesday.

When the Kent opener was the sixth man out with almost 10 overs of the 44 remaining, the tourists’ chances of levelling the series were all but over.

A day after England lost the opening match at Cape Town by 50 runs, when every member of the top 10 reached double figures but failed to register a 50, Northeast’s innings went some way to righting that wrong.

However, the tourists’ losing run continued as South Africa opened up a 2-0 lead with three games to play.

South Africa posted 245 for five in their allotted overs.

The third match in the five-match ODI series takes place in Paarl on Friday.