Kohli ton helps India thrash New Zealand

India Emerging Players 3 for 251 (Kohli 120*, Tiwary 60*, Dhawan 55) beat New Zealand Emerging Players 6 for 248 (Guptill 112) by seven wickets
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	Virat Kohli's unbeaten 120 guided India to a comfortable victory © Getty Images

A splendid batting performance, led by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 120, helped India Emerging Players to a comfortable seven-wicket win over New Zealand Emerging Players. The Indian batsmen showed resilience to overhaul a stiff target of 249 with nine overs to spare a day after they were mauled by South Africa Emerging Players.

While Kohli, who led India Under-19s' triumphant World Cup campaign earlier this year, stayed till the end to record the highest score in the tournament, it was Shikhar Dhawan who provided the early impetus. He dominated the opening stand of 93, before falling for 55. Captain S Badrinath and Suresh Raina were dismissed soon after but with Manoj Tiwary supporting Kohli with an unbeaten 60, India cruised to their second 50- over victory.

Earlier, after being asked to bat, New Zealand made a competitive total thanks to opener Martin Guptill's century. Their No. 5 Greg Hay (44) was the only other batsman to make a significant contribution. In contrast, it was a combined effort by the Indian bowlers - the six that were used took a wicket each.

The result helped India move to the top of the table with eight points while New Zealand remained on five.

Australian Institute of Sports 8 for 235 (Hill 74*, Parnell 3-33) beat South Africa Emerging Players 234 (Hill 3-39) by two wickets
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A strong all-round show by Michael Hill guided Australia Institute of Sports to a two-wicket victory over South Africa. Hill's three wickets and unbeaten 74 helped the hosts join India on eight points at the top of the table.

As most teams have done in this tournament, Australia chose to field but there were no early breakthroughs as the South African openers, Blake Snijman and Dean Elgar, were involved in a solid 56-run stand. However, setting an example their lower-order team-mates were to follow, both did not carry on after making starts. Five of the South African batsmen crossed 25 but none went on to make a half-century, with Ahmed Amla's 42 being the highest score.

Australia's chase of 235 was given a solid platform by the openers, who added 69 runs, but a dramatic collapse followed: 0 for 69 quickly becoming 5 for 93. Left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell, who was impressive against India on Thursday, triggered panic in the Australian camp with a three-wicket burst. Hill stayed till the end to shepherd Australia to victory with an over to spare. The presence of Thursday's half-centurions Peter Forrest (No. 8) and Theo Doropoulos (No. 9) in the lower order helped Hill take Australia past the finish line.