Australia Under-19 Entered into Semi-finals

Rangiora: A trans-Tasman contest that promised plenty of action ended in a one-sided squib, with Australia knocking aside New Zealand to qualify for the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup.

Australian batsmen faced a tough task in putting up 232, but their bowlers had few hassles in dismissing New Zealand for 170 in 43.2 overs at the Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.

Mitchell Marsh, after opting to bat, found himself in at the crease in the third over after Tim Beaton fell cheaply. With Nic Maddinson timing the ball nicely, Marsh was able to ease into his shots and the pair ticked off a half-century stand at nearly five-and-a-half runs an over.

Then Maddinson fell to Logan van Beek for a 45-ball 39, and Marsh was forced to assess the situation. Shortly after crossing his half-century, Marsh was run out and Jason Floros suffered the same fate not too long after, with Harry Boam finding his mark on both occasions.

From here New Zealand's attack, in particular the offspinner Tim Johnston, slowed down the runs. Alex Keath (32) and Tim Armstrong (39) stepped into consolidation mode, and the wicketkeeper Tom Triffitt chipped in with 23 from 30 balls. Superbly, New Zealand only allowed Australia eight runs in the last three overs.

Australia will now meet Sri Lanka, who crushed South Africa in the other quarter-final, on Wednesday.

Brief scores
Australia U-19: 232 for 8 (Marsh 53)
New Zealand U-19: 170 (Hazlewood 2-24)
Result: Australia Under-19 by 62 runs