Australia's teenage women cricket prospects have been left reflecting ruefully on a frustrating three-run defeat in their Under-19 Twenty20 World Cup semi-final with England.
Rhys McKenna's Aussies had looked set to ease home to victory on Friday and set up a date with India in the inaugural final of the ICC event in Potchefstroom, South Africa, after they skittled England for just 99 and were moving along smoothly enough at 3-48.
But Australia suffered a collapse, losing their next four wickets for just 11 before Amy Smith, in particular, gave them most hope with her run-a-ball 26.
Legspinner Hannah Baker (3-10) proved the architect of England's win with three quick wickets, bowling Ella Hayward, getting captain McKenna caught at mid-off and then trapping wicketkeeper Paris Hall three balls later.
In a dramatic finish, boundaries from Ella Wilson and Milly Illingworth left Australia needing just four off 17 balls, with two wickets still standing.
But Illingworth was run out via a direct hit from Ryana MacDonald-Gay from mid-off before No.11 Maggie Clark got trapped lbw by offspinner Grace Scrivens with eight balls left and just 96 on the board.
"No-one likes losing, especially in the semi-final," sighed Melbourne Stars' prospect McKenna.
"Losing bulk wickets in a short period of time is what cost us. Our bowling has been exceptional, but the batting hasn't been good enough at times."
It felt, though, like a win that had really got away for Australia, as they'd begun superbly, reducing England to 7-45.
But they let England off the hook somewhat as a 46-run partnership between Alexa Stonehouse and Josie Groves helped bring some respectability to their total.
Fine bowling from Clark (3-15), Hayward (3-25) and Sianna Ginger (3-13) still handed Australia the initiative but it ultimately proved not quite enough.
In the other semi, India eased past a New Zealand side which had been previously unbeaten, winning by eight wickets after they restricted the Kiwis to 9-107 before reaching their target of 2-110 of just 14.2 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 61 from Shweta Sehrawat.
