AUSTRALIA has held on by the barest of margins to break English hearts in a thrilling Under 19 Ashes victory at Allan Border Field. The hosts chased down a modest total of 154 with 41 balls to spare, though the loss of nine wickets made for a thrilling finish in Brisbane.

Thomas Balkin proved the hero for Australia, holding his nerve as tail-enders tumbled around him to hit the winning runs and finish unbeaten on 32. Number 11 Callum Vidler was made to survive six deliveries alongside him as England failed to muster the final breakthrough.

After a strong bowling effort, Australia’s response was founded on shaky ground as Dominic Kelly (3-32) removed recent centurion Harry Dixon (4), opening partner Liam Blackford (8), and Harjas Singh (1) within the first eight overs.

Danial Ibrahim (3-27) also struck thrice to decimate the Aussies’ middle order, placing the home side in serious strife at 6-65. The flow of wickets brought Balkin to the crease with skipper Joel Davies (44), and the pair combined for a crucial 69-run stand.

Davies’ dig was made all the more impressive considering he was earlier carted off on a stretcher after colliding head-first with the fence while fielding. Upon his removal from the batting crease, Australia required just 20 runs from 81 balls at seven wickets down.

Run rate was seldom an issue throughout the chase, though Balkin and co. could have been forgiven for showing any less composure in such tense circumstances. It is not as if they didn’t do their job with the ball either, having bowled England out in under 41 overs.

A procession of consistent wickets again proved the tourists’ downfall, with both openers removed within five overs and the top four back in the sheds before the end of the first power play. Charlie Anderson (3-32) proved the main destroyer, claiming the first three poles.

James Coles (54) played a lone hand in setting up the defendable total, though he was dismissed by Hugh Weibgen, who swept up the tail en route to match-best figures of 4-21. Weibgen also peeled off 23 at first drop with the bat to be named player of the match.

Australia now holds a 3-1 lead in the multi-format Under 19 Ashes series, with another one-day clash to be played on Friday before a T20 bout sees out proceedings on Sunday.

SCORECARD

TOSS: England won the toss and elected to bat.
RESULT: Australia (9-155) def. England (154) by 1 wicket.
POTM: Hugh Weibgen (Australia)

1st Innings: England 154 (40.5)
James Coles 54 (72), Matty Hurst 21 (20), Joseph Eckland 19 (42)
Hugh Weibgen 4-21 (8), Charlie Anderson 3-32 (7), Tom Straker 1-9 (6)

2nd Innings: Australia 9-155 (43.1)
Joel Davies 44 (69), Thomas Balkin 32* (64), Hugh Weibgen 23 (32)
Danial Ibrahim 3-27 (6), Dominic Kelly 3-32 (8), Tom Aspinwall 2-31 (10)

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)
>> Match Report
Wednesday, February 15 @ Allan Border Oval, Brisbane (AUS)
Friday, February 17 @ Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane

T20:

Friday, February 19: @ Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane