A BRUTAL ton from Harry Dixon has led Australia to victory in the first one-day contest of this year’s Under 19 Ashes, comprehensively besting England by 119 runs. Sent in to bat first at Allan Border Oval, the Aussies posted an unrelenting 6-349, spearheaded by 148 from their Victorian opener.

Dixon reached triple-figures in 104 balls, before accelerating with six maximums to bring his boundary count up to 21. He was supported ably by skipper Joel Davies (45) and keeper Lachlan Aitken (40), the latter of whom he combined with for 112 runs in their fifth-wicket stand.

Though Dixon and Aitken were dismissed within eight deliveries of each over, signalling some form of respite for the tourists, it proved momentary. Fresh batters Will Salzmann (41*) and Thomas Balkin (25*) picked up the slack and remained unbeaten at the end of the 50 overs.

Their exploits set England a steep task in response, and though the visitors fought well to live up to the required run-rate, consistent wickets proved their downfall. After George Thomas took Salzmann for 12 runs off the opening over, he fell to Austin Anlezark, and so began the rot.

England’s top four was removed within 10 overs, leaving the likes of Charlie Tear (40) and Joseph Eckland (32) to graft together before they, too, departed. Tom Aspinwall (44) also dug in at number nine, but his efforts proved futile as England finished all out for 230 after exactly 40 overs.

Opening bowlers Salzmann and Anlezark were joined by Balkin and Tom Straker to form a quartet of Australians to end up with two wickets. Davies (1-51) was the only one be utilised for a full 10 overs, with seven bowlers called upon.

Now ahead in the six-game multi-format series, Australia will look to back up strongly on Wednesday in the second of three one-day bouts. Another win would make it three straight for the hosts, after going down in the opening four-day fixture.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Australia (6-349) def. England (230) by 119 runs.
POTM: Harry Dixon (Australia)
TOSS: England won the toss and elected to bowl.

KEY PLAYERS

Australia:
Harry Dixon 148 (125), Joel Davies 45 (52), Will Salzmann 41* (25)
Thomas Balkin 2-17 (5), Austin Anlezark 2-23 (4), Tom Straker 2-32 (6)

England:
Tom Aspinwall 44 (30), Charlie Tear 40 (55), Joseph Eckland 32 (51)
James Coles 2-42 (10), Tom Aspinwall 2-57 (8), Archie Lenham 1-37 (8)

SERIES FIXTURE

FOUR-DAY:

Sunday, Jan 29 – Wednesday, Feb 1  @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane (ENG)
>> Match Report
Monday, Feb 6 – Thursday, Feb 9 @ Alan Pettigrew Oval, Brisbane (AUS)
>> Match Report

50-OVER:

Monday, February 13 @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane (AUS)
Wednesday, February 15 @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane
Friday, February 17 @ Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane

T20:

Friday, February 19: @ Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane