Australia make hard work of beating USA

USA 148 (42.5 overs); Australia 149-6 (24.1 overs). Australia won by four wickets.

Australia made hard work of their third victory of the tournament against the USA.

The 1988 and 2002 champions scored the 149 runs they needed to win in just 24.1 overs but they lost six wickets doing it and at one stage they were 53-4.

It took 37 from William Sheridan and 31 from Aaron Finch to calm their nerves as the pair added 69 and by the time they were parted victory was in sight.

The win confirmed Australia as the winners of Group B and means they will play the runners-up of Group C, either Sri Lanka or India, in the Super League quarter-final, on Saturday.

"It was far from our best performance with bat and ball," said Australia captain Moises Henriques.

"It was good to knock the USA over quite quickly (when we bowled) but our top order tried to get the runs quickly and paid for it.

"We have not been at our best in any of the games so far and even against South Africa we could have bowled better as we sent down a lot of wides.

"There is plenty of room for improvement," he added.

Left-arm spinner Jon Holland was the man who set up the win for Australia as the left-armer captured 4-39.

His effort, together with three wickets for Henriques (3-21) and two successes for Adam Ritchard (2-23), meant the winless tournament newcomers were dismissed in 42.5 overs.

Holland, the leading wicket-taker in Australia's national U/19 tournament in December, when he took 20 wickets at an average of just 11.75, followed up early breakthroughs from Ritchard.

Holland's wickets included the USA's joint top-scorer Akeem Dodson (27). The other batsmen to reach 20 were Mrunal Patel (27) and Nisarg Patel (23).

Australia used seven bowlers as, after a game against the West Indies the previous day and with the Super League to follow on Saturday, they looked to ensure all their players got a balance between match action and rest.

Opener Usman Khawaja was rested after making 77 against the West Indies and with regular wicketkeeper Matthew Wade replacing him at the top of the order, Tom Stray took over the duties behind the stumps.

When Australia batted they lost wickets at regular intervals as Dominic Audain (2-45), Nisarg Patel (2-37) and Abhimanyu Rajp (2-32) all enjoyed success.

"To get six wickets down was a good effort," said Larry Gomes, the USA coach.

"In all the games we have played in bits and pieces but the levels of concentration and fitness have not always been there.

"I have still been very encouraged by what I have seen and we can take heart from these performances. We have to refocus for the Plate but I think we can do well," he added.

The USA will play Namibia in that Plate Championship quarter-final next Tuesday.