Under 16s in action overseas

U16 Schoolboys squad: Wade Burrowes, Joshua Chojnowski, Joshua DeMunari, Matthew Gilkes, Kyle Giniotis, Cameron Green, Blake Gutsche, Aaron Hardie, Griffin Lea, Jonathan Merlo, Blake Parsons, Jared Sippel, Matthew Spoors, Param Uppal

Staff: Peter Finch (Manager), Brian Hawke (Head Coach), Ian Bycroft (Team Leader), Matthew Mott (Assistant Coach), Alex Rigby (Physio)

Related: Boof Lehmann sends team off

Game 5 - Australia U16s v Central Province

The Australian team returned to Asgiriya International Stadium, folowing the two T20 games the previous day.

After Central Province won the toss and batted, the Australian bowlers bowled good length and were on task throughout.

Central Province were reduced to 6-123 in the 28th over before a few good partnerships in their lower order saw them reach 203 (all out) in the 46th.

Australian bowlers shared the wickets (Green 2-25, Sippel 2-25, Parsons 1-47, Hardie 2-11 and Merlo 2-15).

Australia's run chase began well and they were 3-100 in the 20th over. 

But a succession of quick wickets saw Australia slump to 8-141 in the 33rd.

Australia failed to bat out their 50 overs, however, and were all out in the 48th for 183.

Many batsmen got a start, but none were able to go on and make a big score (Gilkes 21, Gutsche 28, Hardy 17, Uppal 10, Spoors 30, Parsons 15, and Green 24 not out).

Game 4 - Australia U16s v Central Districts (T20)

The U16 Australia team have made up for a loss earlier in the day against Central Districts with a thrilling win in the second T20.

The Australians lost the toss and bowled first, and the team tried a change of tact and opened the bowling with left-arm off spinner, Blake Parsons - with instant success.

The Australians claimed two wickets in the first three overs before reducing the home side to 5-27 after eight overs.

A continued disciplined bowling display saw Central Districts finish at 9-80.

The early loss of Blake Gutshe and Matthew Gilkes saw Param Uppal and Aaron Hardie (20) have to right the ship.

With Matt Spoors chiming in with 17 the U16 Australia side reached the required target with three balls to spare.

Game 3 - Australia U16s v Central Districts (T20)

The U16 Australia team lost their third match of the tour after batting first and making 9-101 from their 20 overs on what looked a greenish but deceptive pitch.

Aaron Hardie compiled a well-made 22 and Matt Spoors top-scored with 48 in what became trying batting conditions.

The score probably could have been higher if not for a lack of urgency between the wickets at times.

Some sound line bowling kept the Australians in the contest for a long period but the total was passed in the 18th over. 

Game 2 – Australia U16s  v Singalese Sports Club U17 Cricket Academy (One-Dayer)

The U16 Australia Team have atoned for a disappointing opening match, easing past the Singalese Sports Club U17 Cricket Academy to the tune of 120 runs in game two of their tour of Sri Lanka.

After winning the toss and batting, Australia’s openers took full advantage of the ground’s short boundaries, reaching 0-84 off nine overs.

A mini-fightback from the home side had Australia 2-113 before the big-hitting Matthew Gilks smashed 66 off 24 balls to lift his side to 8-304 off 50 overs.

The Singalese Sports Club started positively with the bat before losing both openers in quick succession.

A solid all-round performance from all the Australian bowlers, including 3-39 to Blake Parsons, saw wickets tumble consistently throughout the innings, the home side all-out for 184.

Image Id: ~/media/4154EC92BD5B412ABBE3D3EACF7454A9

Game 1 – Australia U16s v Southern Districts U17s (One-Dayer)

Australia’s next crop of young stars had their tour of Sri Lanka halted before it even began with game one against a Southern District U17 XI forced from Galle to Colombo due to monsoonal storms.

Weather proved more conducive in the northern city and Australia planned to take full advantage, winning the toss and electing to bat.

The tourists started strongly at 1-89 before a controversial lbw decision ended Matthew Gilkes’ innings on 28 and gave the home team a much-needed boost.

2-89 quickly became 6-101, Australia’s middle order crumbling to be bowled out for 124 off 41 overs.

In reply, the bowlers toiled manfully in foreign conditions. The crafty left-arm spin of Blake Parsons (2-29) proved especially effective and gave Australia’s hopes of a first-up win a major boost.

It wasn’t to be however, the home side’s captain leading the charge with an unbeaten 52no to seal a comfortable victory for Southern Districts.

Image Id: ~/media/C7F6B3CE1A1F48348368C76A8AED9D14