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U19s seek complete performance

With the series locked at 1-1, the Australians look to rebound from loss in second Youth ODI

With three matches remaining and a series win up for grabs, Australia Under 19s opener Max Bryant says his side is targeting a complete team performance over the next week.

The hosts are locked at one-all in their five-match Youth ODI Series against Sri Lanka Under 19s in Hobart.

The first match - a thumping 160-run win - was "pretty close to perfect" according to the 18-year-old Queensland Bulls rookie, but after an eight-run loss in game two, there’s plenty of room to improve as a team.

"I think we’re pretty comfortable with our own games," Bryant said.

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"I don’t think we’ve had that (full) team game yet. That first one was pretty close, but I think it’s just working as a team to get those next three wins."

Half centuries to Param Uppal (55) and Will Sutherland (54) almost helped the Australians snatch victory in game two. But losing five wickets in the final nine overs when they required more than six runs per over, including set batsmen Sutherland and Austin Waugh (33), plus a pair of run-outs was the final nail in the coffin against a determined Sri Lankan side.

Bryant acknowledged there was room to improve across the board.

"The first game we batted well, bowled well and fielded well - all the one percenters we did right. The second game we were a little bit off, and it cost us," he said.

"It’s pretty even actually (the series).

"They didn’t play their best game the first game, and they came out all guns firing in the second game.

"The third game should be pretty good."

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The big-hitting batsman was one of the keys for Australia in that first game, setting the tone with a quick-fire 34 from 25 deliveries as the hosts raced past 50 inside seven overs, allowing the likes of Uppal and Jason Sangha build into their innings.

While he missed out in the second game, chopping on for five, Bryant is hoping his form in the nets will translate into big scores.

"My form’s been probably the best I’ve ever had (in the nets), just unlucky dismissals I guess and not playing the right shots at the right times," he said.

"It’s just scoring, and looking to score (that’s the key for me)."