U19s hiding for Aussies

AUSTRALIA have crashed to a tournament-opening defeat at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Mount Maunganui.

Destructive Gold Coast opener Max Bryant hit two sixes in his measured knock of 29 from 48 balls to help the team off to a first-wicket partnership of 57 but the 329-run target set by India proved 100 runs too much.

Opener Jack Edwards topscored with 73 while wicketkeeper batsman Baxter Holt put in a rear-guard effort of 39 of 30 deliveries.

Bryant’s Dolphins teammate Xavier Bartlett had earlier copped some stick with the ball, finishing with figures of 0-47 off seven overs.

Australia next faces Zimbabwe in Lincoln on Wednesday before rounding out their group stage against PNG.