Second ODI: Australia U-19 vs Cricket Web U-19
at Junction Oval, Melbourne
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
A rejuvenated Cricket Web side, led by an inspired captaincy decision to bowl first and a splitting spell from Ethan McNamara, took a comfortable victory on a very difficult Melbourne wicket. Overnight rain had made the pitch a spitting nightmare, but the umpires decided to go along with the game, and Hopgood, Luff and Australia's number 10 Robson showed that it was possible to make good runs.
The hosts never looked comfortable after being inserted, edging their way against Forner and McNamara, who bowled hostile inswingers with varying pace. Murphy hooked on 15 trying to ease the pace and score his third boundary; instead, McMeekin took a fine catch and McNamara roared through Hughes and Wade to provoke disarray in the Australian camp. At the end of his ten, the hosts were five for 69, and essentially beaten already.
Changes of bowling and pace were key on this wicket, and undid for the remainder of the stubborn batting line-up, though the last five partnerships nearly scored double of the first five. Despite this, Michael Hill's 19 was the highest innings, and extras with 16 made it into third place, largely due to McNamara's line being off as he wore himself down. The total of 146 did not look challenging, and the chase was not particularly adventurous, as Hopgood and Luff's early charge sparked a bowling change after just seven overs; both batsmen eased into their stride as the opening partnership yielded 81, and though Hopgood's 80-ball innings came to a soft end and there were late incisions from spinner Burns, Read could strike the winning runs after coming in with the scores tied.
Australia Under-19s 146 all out (43.3 overs)
EAP McNamara 3-26, M Reddlapalli 2-18, DPW Pares 2-28
Cricket Web Under-19s 147 for five (40.2 overs)
M Hopgood 52, MD Luff 37; DJ Burns 3-27
Cricket Web Under-19s won by five wickets
Man of the Match: M. Hopgood (Cricket Web)