Australia Under 19s have fallen short of a clean-sweep in their Youth ODI Series against Sri Lanka Under 19s, being defeated by 64 runs in game three in Colombo.
The hosts batted first and posted 8-256 from their 50 overs, before the Australians were bowled out for 192 in reply in the 47th over.
Victoria and Melbourne Renegades fast bowler Zak Evans claimed 3-39 from nine overs, while quick Liam Marshall (2-22) and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha (2-42) also claimed multiple wickets.
In reply, Australia’s chase started in promising fashion, with New South Wales’ keeper Baxter Holt scoring a quick-fire 60 off 51 deliveries.
But his dismissal in the 17th over sparked a collapse of 6-35, as Australia slumped from 1-94 to 7-129.
Sangha (39) and Evans (17) then led a fightback with the bat, but the task was beyond them as spinners Sudeera Thilakaratne (4-34) and Sonal Dinusha (3-22) closed out the innings.
“Not the result we wanted, especially after the first two games being such good games, playing pretty good cricket and getting two good wins on the board,” coach Ryan Harris said after the game.
“Going into game three we were pretty keen to keep that momentum up, but the boys obviously didn’t play as well as we would have liked today.
“We changed the team around a little bit, but still no excuses for the performance we put in today – with the bat we lost too many wickets in clumps, which is disappointing after talking about that over the last couple of days.
“It’s still a series win for the boys for their experience, and going into the three-day game we’ve still got a fair bit of confidence.”
Harris said there had been plenty of positives throughout the three Youth ODIs, heading into the three-day game starting on January 10.
“We spoke about it before the first game, guys making hundreds and getting big scores. If guys are doing that, we’re putting big (team) scores on the board or chasing down big scores,” he said.
“It’s great that we’ve had two hundreds (Sam Fanning and Will Sutherland) and Keegan (Oates) was very unlucky in game two not to get his 100, he deserved it and batted very well.
“I guess what’s pleasing for me is the guys have taken the game on when they needed to. Their game sense has been really, really good. It’s always good to get good performances as well, and to see guys get runs, that’s what we’re here to do.
“Hopefully we get a bit of a dry wicket in this three day game and then we can really experience some subcontinental conditions with spin.”
Australia Under 19s Squad: Iain Carlisle (NSW), Oliver Davies (NSW), Zak Evans (VIC), Sam Fanning (NSW), Jarrod Freeman (TAS), Lachlan Hearne (NSW), Baxter Holt (NSW), Corey Hunter (QLD), Josh Kann (QLD), Liam Marshall (NSW), Keegan Oates (TAS), Tanveer Sangha (NSW), Will Sutherland (VIC), Matthew Willans (QLD). Coach: Ryan Harris. Assistant Coach: Wade Townsend.
Series Fixtures
One-Day Matches
3 January: Sri Lanka Under 19s (6-262) def by Australia Under 19s (3-263) at P Sara Oval, Colombo
5 January: Sri Lanka Under 19s (9-297) def by Australia Under 19s (5-304) at P Sara Oval, Colombo
7 January: Sri Lanka Under 19s (8-256) def Australia Under 19s (192) at P Sara Oval, Colombo
Three-Day Match
10-12 January: Sri Lanka Under 19s v Australia Under 19s at SSC Ground, Colombo
