Australia U-19 Reached into Quarter-final

Townsville: Australia finished with three wins from as many matches in Group A at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Queensland after they beat Ireland by six wickets on Tuesday. Australia first team in ICC Under-19 World Cup reached into quarter-final.

In sunny conditions at Endeavour Park in Townsville, Ireland were bowled out for just 129 in the 43rd over, with medium-pacer Alex Gregory (3-13) and spinner Shane Cassel (3-24) leading the way.

And despite an early scare, Australian captain Will Bosisto (36 not out) and Sam Hain (26 not out) guided the tournament hosts to another victory as they reached 4-133 with 57 balls to spare.

Defending a small total, Irish captain George Dockrell gave the new ball to off-spinner Adam Coughlan (0-38) and it was a move that did not pay dividends as he bowled seven wides in the first two overs.

Jimmy Peirson (12) began with a six off the bowling of Graeme McCarter (1-16), although the same bowler dismissed him moments later when he picked out Dockrell at mid-off.

Nicholas Stevens (four) came and went quickly, departing on the stroke of lunch and when Dockrell (1-10 off 10 overs) bowled Meyrick Buchanan (21) immediately after the break, all of a sudden the Aussies were 3-45.

Some big-hitting from Travis Head - who hit three fours and two sixes in a 20-ball 25 - relieved the pressure but he was the subject of a big send-off from spinner Andy McBrine (1-20) when he was bowled trying to slog another six over mid-wicket.

Bosisto and Hain steadied the ship though, adding 59 runs in 20 overs as Australia continued their perfect record at the tournament.

Earlier, Dockrell won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that looked good for scoring runs on.

With a short, fast outfield on offer, the Irishmen made a bright start as they raced to 32 without loss after five overs with Ryan Hunter (31) particularly aggressive.

Hunter hit a six off Gurinder Sandhu (2-35) and then followed up with a four as 14 came from one of his overs, leading to Bosisto making an early change to the bowling attack.

It was an inspired change as Gregory was given the ball and produced a wicket with his third delivery after Rob Kelly (11) spooned a chance to Head at mid-on.

Hunter continued to attack, hitting another six off Mark Steketee (1-38) but Gregory quickly claimed another victim as Jason van der Merwe (zero) offered another simple catch, this time to Bosisto at mid-wicket.

Gregory bowled 21 deliveries without conceding a run and continued to put the ball in good areas, with Hunter, like the two batsmen who went before him, hitting an easy catch to Cassel at square leg as the seamer picked up his third wicket.

Brief scores
Ireland Under-19 129
Australia Under-19 133 for 4
Result Australia U19 won by 6 wickets