Victorian under-16s starring on international stage

Zac Evans, Nathan Murphy, Shubham Bhargave, Will Sutherland and Fraser Ellis have been performing well with Evans producing a Player of the Match performance yesterday is Australia’s first victory.

Evans claimed 4-19, while Bhargave grabbed 2-25 as Australia won the third fixture of the six match series, with Murphy remaining unbeaten on 34 in the nine-wicket win.

In the first game at Bradman Oval, three Victorians were amongst the wickets with Ellis (2-33), Evans (2-44), Bhargave (1-34) and Sutherland (1-39) all performing well with the ball as Pakistan compiled 267 from their 50 overs.

This total proved too great for Australia, falling 61 runs short of victory with Sutherland hitting 25 from 24 balls to accompany his bowling figures.

The second game was much closer, however, Australia were unable to overhaul the visitor’s total.

Pakistan won the toss and batted first, posting 229 from their allotted overs on the back of a century from opener Haider Ali.

Sutherland (2-32) and Evans (2-43) again proved to be useful parts of Australia’s bowling attack.

A contribution of 31 runs from Sutherland wasn’t enough, Australia bowled out for 206 in the final over of their reply.

Pakistan leads the six games series 2-1 and the young Australians will be keen to overhaul that deficit in the remaining three matches.

Australia U16 Squad: Bailey Dickinson (c, NSW), Aiden Bariol (NSW), Jason Sangha (NSW), Thomas Sowden (NSW), Austin Waugh (NSW), Joel Foster (NSW), Nathan Murphy (Vic), Will Sutherland (Vic), Zac Evans (Vic), Shubham Bhargave (Vic), Dean Elliott (Qld), Blake Edwards (Qld), Jarrod Freeman (Tas), Hamish McKenzie (WA). Standby: Fraser Ellis (Vic), Connor Thorn (WA), Bailey Capel (SA), Jack Edwards (NSW).