Waugh propels CA XI into U17 semi-finals

The Cricket Australia XI made up of 15-year-olds is into the final four of the Under-17 National Championships after a 51-run victory over South Australia today.

Despite being the youngest side in the competition, the squad has dominated the latter stages of the tournament thanks largely to Austin Waugh, son of former Australia captain Steve, who rattled the Redbacks in scoring an unbeaten-61 from just 48 balls.

The knock included 10 boundaries and took just over an hour to complete, helping his side to a more-than-competitive 4-265 and continuing on the platform set by Bankstown youngster Thomas Sowden (76) and Manly batsman Aiden Bariol (50).

After a steady start in the competition, the son of the 168-Test Baggy Green legend has sped toward the finals, scoring 155 runs at 77.5 in the tournament. Today's knock followed an unbeaten 48 in the last round game. 

Austin Waugh discusses the CA XI performance against WA 

The total was far too much for the South Australians, managing to get to 214 before being bowled out, Sturt’s Connor Dudley top scoring with 46 and Mowbray spinner Jarrod Freeman claiming 4-34.

The win will see the CA XI – made up from the best performed players from the School Sports Australia carnival in Darwin in June – play against hosts Queensland for a spot in the U17 final at Allan Border Field on Thursday.

Queensland were made to struggle in their elimination final against ACT/NSW Country, losing three of their top five batsmen without scoring.

As seen previously in the championships, Queensland’s Harrison Wood (77) and Jack Clayton (48) combined to get the hosts out of a dicey situation, putting on a century stand for the third wicket as the men in maroon reachied 9-223 at the close.

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Queensland face the CA XI on Wednesday for a spot in the final // Brody Grogan

Charlie Drummer led the charge for ACT/NSW Country, scoring a patient 61 off 96 balls but his side fell aggonisingly short by nine runs short, having reached 9-215 at the end of their innings.

Reigning champions NSW Metropolitan cruised into the semi-finals in a similar fashion to that of their Matador BBQs One Day Cup counterparts, helped largely by tournament-leading run-scorer Ryan Hackney’s 43 and combining with captain Param Uppal, who hit eight boundaries in his knock of 64 in an opening stand worth 74-runs.

But it was Sydney University batsman James Arnold who powered 78 runs from just 87 balls, an innings that included eight boundaries and a six, quickly taking the game away from Western Australia early.

In reply, WA fought hard but to no avail with Matthew Spoors removed early and only Aaron Hardie (46) providing any resistance to a rampaging team focused on going back-to-back.

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NSW Metro's Ryan Hackney has put himself on the radar // Brody Grogan

In the last quarter final, Victoria Metropolitan put Northern Territory up against it in the first 10 overs, scoring at a quick rate and losing only one wicket.

Dandenong’s Ed Newman (94) was patient and unlucky to narrowly miss out on a championship hundred while Kevin Spaull (54) continued his golden carnival, locking away his fifth score over 30 and his second half-century.

Northern Territory – whose side contains top-up players from Victoria and New South Wales – was unable to match the run-scoring consistency shown by the Victorian squad, going down by 77 runs, locking away the final available spot.

The teams each get one day rest before the semi finals launch on Wednesday, scored live through www.nationalchamps.com.au.

SEMI FINALS - Wednesday, 7 October:

NSW Metropolitan v Victoria Metropolitan, Peter Burge Oval

Queensland v Cricket Australia XI, Fred Kratzman Oval