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Emerging Players Tournament, Brisbane, 4th round
Raina ton in vain as India falter in spirited chase
Cricinfo staff
July 20, 2008
Australian Institute of Sports 5 for 371 (Henriques 125, Doropoulos 107, Warner 80) beat India Emerging Players 352 (Raina 115, Badrinath 95) by 19 runs
Scorecard
It rained 723 runs at the Albury Oval as the Australian Institute of Sports prevailed by 19 runs against India Emerging Players and moved to the top of the table. Theo Doropoulos and Moises Henriques made merry with centuries to pilot Australia to what seemed an unassailable 371 for 5, but Suresh Raina's 115 gave them a scare before India were bowled out for 352. However, the result could've been different had they managed to bat till the end of the 50th over.
The run-fest began when Doropoulos and David Warner tore into the attack with an opening stand of 133, before Henriques joined Doropoulos to stitch the biggest stand of the match - 156. Doropoulos fell for 107 off 115 balls but the more dominant of the pair was Henriques who blazed to his ton in just 67 deliveries before eventually falling for 124 off 83. S Badrinath was left to rue his decision at the toss and at the interval, the Indians were up against it.
India's charge was led by Raina, who after a rich haul of runs in the Asia Cup, ripped into the academy attack and matched Henriques' effort, reaching his ton in 65 balls. Badrinath, following a dip in returns in the two previous games, found his touch and played the supporting role to Raina. They added 131 for the third wicket before Raina fell. It was a crucial breakthrough as the Indians failed to build more partnerships. Badrinath missed his ton by five runs and his dismissal at 6 for 276 put Australia firmly in command. The tail gave the home side a few anxious moments before the chase folded up with 3.4 overs to spare. Doropoulos capped his hundred by taking 3 for 68 while Grant Sullivan took 3 for 62.
New Zealand Emerging Players 9 for 276 (Guptill 65, Hay 43) beat South Africa Emerging Players 9 for 266 (Khan 98, Schaw 3-40, Hiini 3-51)
Scorecard
Another close contest unfolded at the WEP Harris Oval as New Zealand Emerging Players sneaked home by 10 runs against South Africa Emerging Players. Opener Martin Guptill's half-century set up the victory but Imraan Khan's 98 went in vain as his side could only muster 266 for 9 in 50 overs.
Ahmed Amla sent New Zealand in and the openers, Guptill and Jesse Ryder, set the platform with a stand of 64. Greg Hay chipped in with 43 as New Zealand posted a competitive 276. South Africa were strengthened by a stand of 70 between Khan and Dean Elgar but two wickets - first by Brandon Hiini and then by Robbie Schaw - turned the match in New Zealand's favour at 6 for 195. Khan fell two short of his ton, caught and bowled by Ryder, leaving his side at 7 for 212. Hiini and Schaw took three wickets apiece to seal the win. South Africa's third defeat in four games left them at the bottom of the table, jeopardising the chances of defending their title.
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