Indian colts beat Australia in three-day match

Hobart:

Harshal Patel snared three wickets before Mayank Agarwal and Avi Bharat struck fluent half centuries to guide the Indian under-19 team to a nine-wicket win over their Australian counterparts in the first three-day cricket match at Bellerive Oval on Monday.

The win gives the Indians an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series, the next game of which will be played in Perth from April 19.

In between, two teams will take on each other in the third and final one-dayer on April 17.

India had declared at 417 for seven to take a 111-run lead over Australia on Sunday.

The hosts, resuming at an overnight 1/0, folded for 228 in the second innings, giving the Indians a target of 118, which they achieved in 18.4 overs.

Australian middle-order batsman Mitchell Marsh went on to register his first century, scoring 109 but his teammates floundered with seven of the Aussies not even reaching double figures. The 17-year-old struck 11 fours and a six.

Chasing the paltry target, Indian opener Mayank Agarwal (62 not out) and number three Avi Bharat's (52 not out) brisk scoring ensured that the visitors reached the target with ease.

Earlier, Harshal was the pick of the Indian bowlers picking up three wickets conceding 32 from his 8.1 overs of medium pace.