India take Emerging Players title

India Emerging Players 9 for 283 (Kohli 104, Saha 74, Tsotsobe 5-69) beat South Africa Emerging Players 266 (Davids 82, Tyagi 4-72) by 17 runs
Scorecard

India Emerging Players, aided by Virat Kohli's century and Sudeep Tyagi's four wickets, clinched the Emerging Players Tournament by defeating South Africa at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. In South Africa's only loss of the tournament they went down to India in the final by 17 runs, losing their last five wickets for 30 runs.

Vaughan van Jaarsveld, the South African captain, chose to give his bowlers first use of the surface and Lonwabe Tsotsobe dealt the early advantage. Tsotsobe, the tall left-arm fast bowler, trapped Ajinkya Rahane lbw in the first over, the ball after the opener smacked him for six over extra cover. Next ball he had M Vijay lbw for a duck with a fuller ball and India were 2 for 7.

S Badrinath (20) and Kohli started a recovery but India were further rattled and found themselves half down for 109 in the 22nd over. Then Wriddhiman Saha, the wicketkeeper, added 78 with Kohli who raised his half-century from 59 balls. Kohli was particularly strong on the leg side, collecting sixes in consecutive overs with superb feet movement. Kohli brought up his century from 97 balls, a sterling effort under pressure, before he fell for 104 when driving straight to extra cover. Saha made a fine 74 and with Amit Mishra contributing 25 from 22 balls India finished on 9 for 283. Tsotsobe finished with 5 for 69.

South Africa's openers put on 52 with Rilee Rossouw particularly dismissive of India's new-ball pair. He slammed 35 from just 16 balls, including consecutive sixes off Tyagi, before the bowler had his number. Tyagi struck in successive overs and thereafter India's bowlers chipped away. The blow that effectively turned the match their way was Tyagi's dismissal of Henry Davids for 82 in the 40th over, the opener steering a widish delivery to backward point. Thandi Tshabalala nicked Tyagi next ball and South Africa slumped to defeat with Misha capping a good day with two economical wickets.

Australian Institute of Sports 2 for 245 (Quiney 115*, Wade 60*) beat New Zealand Emerging Players 8 for 244 (Watling 115*, Floros 3-54) by eight wickets
Scorecard

New Zealand Emerging Players' poor run in Australia continued with a crushing defeat at the hands of the Australian Institute of Sports in Brisbane. The third-place play-off was a 40-overs per side affair and Australia hardly broke a sweat as they chased down 245 with eight wickets and 42 deliveries remaining.

This was a win set up in the field. Peter George hurt New Zealand at the top and put pressure on Watling, who responded with a mature innings that spanned the full 40 overs. Anaru Kitchen's 45 helped steady the situation with Watling but he became the first of offbreak bowler Jason Floros' three wickets. There was little else in terms of support and Watling swung his bat at the end to remain unbeaten on 115 from 104 balls as New Zealand made 244.

Led by the opener Rob Quiney's unbeaten century, Australia cruised to victory. Quiney and Tom Cooper shared a 60-run opening stand after which Steven Smith added 79 with Quiney. Once he was dismissed for a brisk 44 Matthew Wade walked in and blasted 60 from 42 balls, including five sixes, and the match was a fairly one-sided affair. Quiney's 115 needed 94 deliveries and featured six fours and a three sixes.