Australia A to meet India A in final

Australia A secured a place in the A Team Triangular Series final after allrounder Cameron White triggered a New Zealand A collapse that left his side needing 145 runs in 50 overs. Australia did the needful in 24.5; David Hussey hurrying matters with a 56-ball 78.

New Zealand chose to bat but were down to 2 for 2 in the second over. Marcus North was involved in the dismissal of the openers: he ran out Aaron Redmond for a duck and took a catch to get rid of Martin Guptill. A 97-run partnership between Peter Fulton and Greg Hay revived the innings before Shaun Tait broke the stand by bowling Hay for 36.

However it was White’s dismissal of Fulton - in the 30th over - that shook the base. New Zealand collapsed from 127 for 3 to 127 for 6 in seven deliveries. The lower order couldn’t withstand White’s legspin and Tait’s pace, and New Zealand were dismissed in 37.3 overs for a disappointing 144. In all, only three New Zealand batsmen reached double figures.

Australia will now play India A on Wednesday in a non-consequential match before the final between the same sides on Friday.