Under-19s seal a thriller

Lincoln Edwards and skipper Meyrick Buchanan, who had enjoyed modest carnivals to date, exploded at the 11^th hour with 107-run partnership that was crucial in the four-wicket win.

Resuming at 0-3, Victoria still required a further 321 for victory after Western Australia had declared late on day one at 7-323.

The opening duo of Edwards and Mark Phelan would not be curtailed, pushing the score beyond 50, before Phelan was bowled by former Victorian Ashton Agar for 36.

Liam Tonkin was dismissed soon after, bringing Buchanan to the crease, thus beginning one of the day’s crucial partnerships.

The pair batted through most of the middle session before Edwards (85) was dismissed 15 shy of a deserved century, while Buchanan (75) fell just prior to the tea break.

The final session promised fireworks as the deep Victorian batting line-up eyed off a third win from five matches at the carnival.

The dismissal of Jack Harper straight after tea dampened spirits before Sam Kerber’s innings finished five short of a half-century and with Victoria still 61 runs adrift.

With a run rate of four per over required for the final 10, Scott Dixon (33*) and Tom Russ (29*) batted intelligently throughout, with Victoria needing eight runs from the final three overs.

The memorable win was brought up with two overs to spare, pushing Victoria to fourth position overall in this year’s championships.

Having claimed 15 scalps at 14.53, Ben Ashkenazi finished third on the wicket-taking list and was the sole Victorian named in the team of the tournament.

Western Australia’s loss consigned the Sandgropers to second place, with South Australia breaking a 15-year drought to hoist the trophy aloft for the first time since 1997-98.

To see full results from the Under-19 National Championships, click here.

Team of the tournament

Beau Webster (TAS)
Travis Head (SA)
Damien Mortimer (NSW)
Beau McClintock (ACT)
Steve Eskinazi (WA)
Tom Leaver (WA)
Ben McDermott (QLD)
Ashton Agar (WA)
Cam Valente (SA)
Billy Stanlake (QLD)
Ben Ashkenazi (VIC)
Nick Winter (ACT)