Finals time for Under 19s

Vic Metro won the toss and elected to bat first against their younger opponents, amassing their biggest score of the tournament so far with 6-271.

The runs were shared around with Damon Egan (52), Liam Banthorpe (44), Jackson Waters (42), Gehan Seneviratne (34*) and Nathan Murphy (31*) leading the way as all but one Victorian batsman got into double figures.

Victorians Blake Parsons (2-42) and Jonathan Merlo (2-50) performed well with ball in hand for the CA XI.

The CA XI put themselves in a reasonable position at 3-130 midway through their run chase, but collapsed at the hands of the Vic Metro bowlers, bundled out for 201 after losing 7-71.

Patrick Turner was the main destroyer with 4-35, while Mitch Barnewall (2-42), Seneviratne (2-60) and Sam Grimwade (1-27) shared the other wickets in a 70-run win.

Vic Country went down to NSW Metro in their encounter at Railway Oval.

Winning the toss and bowling Vic Country seemed to be in total control after NSW Metro collapsed, losing 5-13 to be in huge trouble at 7-76.

But a lower order partnership of 89 between Jake Wholohan (41) and Ben Manenti (65) allowed the New South Welshman to post a defendable 203 – despite being bowled out in the 47th over.

Jackson Mockett claimed 4-29, while he was supported by Liam Bowe (2-19) Adam McMaster (2-23) and Cameron Brown (1-46).

Vic Country lost Brayden Stepien without a run being posted in their chase which set the tone for the innings – a steady stream of wickets falling meant they couldn’t chase down the Blues’ score, all out for 145 in the 44th over.

Nick King (47) and Adam McMaster provided some resistance, but were short on help from a batting line up which had previously been in good form.

It’s now quarter finals day at the Championships, with Vic Country playing the CA XI and Vic Metro going up against South Australia.