Vic Country through to semi-final at U19 Champs

Vic Country lost the toss against the CA XI and was sent into the field, where a high-quality contest took shape.

Vic Country took regular wickets but the CA XI was able to form important partnerships as they finished their 50 overs on 7-211.

Victorian Jonathan Merlo continues to impress against older opposition, hitting 20 for his side and taking his run-tally for the tournament to an even 200 runs in five innings.

Adam McMaster was against amongst the wickets taking 3-50, while Xavier Crone (2-39), Angus Boyd (1-35) and Jackson Mockett (1-37) shared the others.

Vic Country again lost a wicket early on in their chase, but a 64-run partnership between Nick King (36) and Blake Thomson set the Vic’s chase on course.

Captain Matt Underwood was dismissed cheaply, which bought Thomson and Boyd (43) together, as they built a 95-run partnership which essentially but the result beyond doubt.

Thomson was the standout performer, hitting his second century of the tournament to finish 104* – taking his Under 19 Championship aggregate to over 300 runs and putting his name firmly in front of Australia selectors for a place in Australia’s Under 19 World Cup squad.

Merlo (1-14) and Blake Parsons (1-48) each took a wicket in their side’s six-wicket loss.

Vic Metro was outclassed by a highly impressive South Australian outfit by 81 runs in their quarter-final at Rostrevor College.

The Redbacks won the toss and elected to bat, putting the Metro bowlers to the sword amassing 248 despite being bowled out after 46 overs.

Remarkably six Metro bowlers shared the ten wickets – Thomas Ewing (2-33), Sam Grimwade (2-37), Nick Fletcher (2-45), Tom O’Donnell (2-51), Patrick Turner (1-17) and Jonah Koch (1-31) adding to their respective wicket tallies for the tournament.

Vic Metro got off to a reasonably positive start in their chase, and appeared to be in a position to challenge the imposing score that was set for them when they were 3-107 at the midway point of their innings.

But the lower order collapsed, losing 7-60 to be bowled out in the 45^th over for 167.

Damon Egan (49), Jackson Waters (40) and skipper Liam Banthorpe (30) all performed well in a losing cause.

Today is another rest day, before the semi-finals kick off tomorrow as the Under 19 Championships near their conclusion.