Davids stars for dominant South Africa

South Africa Emerging Players 4 for 133 (Davids 73, Elgar 43) beat Australian Institute of Sports 6 for 132 (Cooper 40, Richardson 37, Tshabalala 2-31, Walters 2-33) by six wickets
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After winning five one-day games on the trot, South Africa Emerging Players continued their domination in the Twenty20 format as well, making light work of the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) at the Albury Oval. They restricted the hosts to 132, and then rode on a superb batting display by Henry Davids to win with nine balls to spare.

The AIS innings never took off after they opted to bat, as Thandi Tshabalala and Basheeru-Deen Walters dealt important blows at the top of the order. A 46-run partnership between Tom Cooper and Kane Richardson for the fifth wicket helped AIS save face. Cooper was in control during his 30-ball stay, hitting four fours and two sixes, and when he fell with the score on 83, Richardson ensured AIS finished with a reasonably competitive total.

Davids provided a rousing start to the chase as he smashed the AIS bowlers to all parts during his 47-ball knock, which included six fours and four sixes. He was well supported by Dean Elgar as the two put on 80 for the second wicket. Richardson picked up two wickets towards the end, but it was too late for a comeback.

New Zealand Emerging Players 5 for 156 (de Grandhomme 60, Ashwin 3-22) beat India Emerging Players 5 for 154 (Tiwary 51*, Nayar 45, Bennett 3-20) by five wickets
Scorecard

An efficient all-round display from New Zealand Emerging Players helped them overcome India Emerging Players in the first Twenty20 match at the Albury Oval. Hamish Bennett, the right-arm fast bowler, starred with the ball, while Colin de Grandhomme scored a sparkling half-century to take New Zealand home in the penultimate over.

Peter Fulton's decision to field first paid off as the Indian batsmen floundered against Bennett, who removed three top-order batsmen - Ajinkya Rahane, S Badrinath and Virat Kohli - as New Zealand took the early honours. But Manoj Tiwary's 51 off 32 balls and a brave knock from Abhishek Nayar helped them wrest back the advantage. Naman Ojha's 15-ball 26 helped them go past 150.

Martin Guptill and de Grandhomme made an excellent start to the run-chase, scoring freely off the Indian seamers. de Grandhomme hit six fours and a six during his 45-ball 60. R Ashwin, the right-arm offspinner, struck two quick blows to keep India in the hunt, but crucial knocks from wicketkeeper Reece Young and Kane Williamson lower down the order were enough to secure the win.