NZ Under-19 cricketers lose by 19 runs

The New Zealand Under-19 team and their two Wanganui players will have to go back to the drawing board after falling 19 runs short in their opening tri-series game with Australia on Sunday. After winning the toss, the Kiwis nipped the Australians' promising start in the bud with three quick wickets, before a middle-order recovery saw the home team through to 225-6 off their 50 overs at Darwin's Marrara Cricket Ground.

Nick Blundell went for 27 runs off his eight overs, including a maiden, which at 3.37 RPO was the second most economical figures of the seven bowlers used.

While all New Zealand top-order batsmen got starts they could not score quickly, putting the pressure on and leading to a middle and lower-order collapse, where five wickets fell in as many overs at the death.

Henry Collier opened and made 17 off 31 balls before becoming one of five victims to Australian U19 fast bowler Matt Fotia.

Fotia had recently spent a fortnight working with Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath at his MRF Pace Foundation academy in India.

Blundell fell for one, batting at No9, as New Zealand was all out in the last over for 206.

New Zealand take on Papua New Guinea today, before their next series game with Australia on Thursday.