Two Scotland batters hit half centuries, but the team were beaten in their third match at the ICC under-19 men’s World Cup by Australia on Wednesday.
The Scots went into their final Group D clash at Conaree Sports Club in Basseterre in the West Indies having pushed Sri Lanka hard in their first game and then been overpowered by the hosts in their second.
In this game against Australia, Scotland batted well to make 236-8, but Australia chased very well to win by seven wickets, ending on 240-3.
Scotland went with the same XI as took on the West Indies a couple of days before, but re-jigged the batting line-up slightly.
Charlie Tear, the wicketkeeper, and Oliver Davidson still opened up though and they got things off to a solid start.
They took the score up to 88 before the latter was run out for 33 in the 20th over.
It was a blow, but Tear was edging towards his 50 at that stage and he came together at the crease with Tom Mackintosh, promoted from four to three.
Tear reached his half century in the 21st over with a four off the bowling of Isaac Higgins.
However, the bowler got his own back two overs later when Tear played on to his own stumps and was bowled for 54 off 69 balls which included nine fours.
The score was 97-2 at that point and then Mackintosh and Sam Elstone put on 71 for the third wicket.
That took the team into the 38th over of their 50 over innings before Elstone was caught by Australian skipper Cooper Connolly off the bowling of Aidan Cahill for 17.
Three runs at the end of that over from Mackintosh took him to a well made 50 before, in the 40th over, he was caught by Higgins off Cahill.
He had made 54 off 70 balls including six fours and, at 176-4, it was up to his team mates to kick on in the last 59 balls.
Jack Jarvis made 27 off 26 balls – including three fours and a maximum – and Muhaymen Majeed hit a very useful 26 not out off 34 balls as the Scots posted their highest total of the event so far, 236-8.
The Australia reply was built on a fine century stand for the first wicket.
Teague Wyllie and Campbell Kellaway put on 101 runs in 21.2 overs before the latter was trapped LBW by Davidson for 47 from 61 balls.
Wyllie was in superb form and he continued along his merry way with number three Cahill for company.
Another strong partnership formed with Wyllie holding the innings together and Cahill playing the more aggressive role.
Cahill plundered 72 off just 45 balls before he was bowled by Davidson to leave them 198-2 and in sight of the finish line in the 34th over.
There was still time for Wyllie to complete a century and carry his bat, finishing up on 101 not out from 115 balls as Australia got home with over 10 overs remaining.
Captain Charlie Peet took Scotland’s other wicket in the game, having opposite man Connolly caught behind by Tear for 11, but it was Australia’s day.
