India win fourth straight game, knock NZ out

India Under-19 123 for 3 (Zol 46*, Herwadkar 25, Watson 2-46) beat New Zealand Under-19 119 (Jamieson 34, Weerasundara 25, Hooda 3-26)
Scorecard

Medium-pacer Deepak Hooda took 3 for 26 to help India secure a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the sixth match of the Top End Under-19 Series in Darwin. India had already made it to the final, but the defeat ended New Zealand's hopes of qualifying and, as a result, Australia will take on India on July 12.

After electing to bat, New Zealand were immediately put on the defensive with some restrictive bowling from India. Medium-pacer Abhimanyu Lamba made the first breakthrough, bowling opener Tim Seifert out for five in the 10th over. New Zealand continued to lose wickets regularly and failed to create any substantial partnership. The runs came mainly from Kyle Jamieson, who top-scored with 34, hitting two fours.

Offspinner Aamir Gani picked up two wickets, while medium-pacers Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Saif took a wicket each to dismiss New Zealand for 119 within 48 overs.

In reply, India got off to a shaky start, losing openers Shreyas Iyer and Akhil Herwadkar within the first ten overs. But Vijay Zol and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson stabilised the innings, putting up 48 runs for the third wicket. Zol, who hit six fours and one six during his 70-ball 46, took India home with more than 25 overs remaining.