Cricket: Australia U19 edge NZ in tense finish

The New Zealand under-19 cricket side will face England in a playoff for third at the quadrangular series in Townsville on Sunday after a narrow defeat to Australia yesterday scuppered any chances of playing in the final.

Chasing Australia's 285 for nine at Endeavour Park in Townsville, New Zealand fell five runs short on 281 for nine and set up a tense final over. They needed 10 runs off six balls but some good bowling from Gurinder Sandhu and accurate fielding put the squeeze on New Zealand, who lost three wickets and scored only five runs.

Joe Carter hit 77 at the top of the order to get the New Zealand pursuit off to a solid start while No 3 batsman Will Young struck 58.

The Australian bowlers edged ahead through the middle stages, keeping New Zealand tied down before Cam Fletcher and Connor Neynens fought back.

Neynens smashed a quick 33 off 27 balls to wrestle back some momentum and Fletcher ensured his team remained in the contest with a fighting 41 before being run out with two balls to spare.

Earlier, Australia were given a solid start by James Peirson (54) and Kurtis Patterson (76), who put on 63 runs for the second wicket before Patterson combined with Meyrick Buchanan (38) to add 96 for the fourth wicket.

The New Zealand bowling attack then looked to be on top after a series of cheap wickets only to bring Patrick Cummins, batting at nine, to the crease. The powerful batsman struck four boundaries and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 50 of 24 deliveries.

Spinner Ish Sodhi was the most impressive of the New Zealand attack with four for 41 with fast bowler Jacob Duffy taking three for 44.

Australia will play India in the final.