Indian colts win tri-series Down Under

Darwin (PTI): Indian bowlers ripped through the Australian line-up as the team thrashed the hosts by eight wickets to be crowned champions in the Under-19 International Series after a lop-sided final clash here on Friday. Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Indians bowled out Australia for a paltry 75 in 24.4 overs before overwhelming the target in 15.3 overs, losing just two wickets in the process. For India, medium pacer Deepak Hooda claimed three wickets for 22 from his 10 overs while Chama Milind (2/19), Kuldeep Yadav (2/4) and Abhimanyu Lamba (28) shared six wickets between them. India never looked troubled in their run chase as they finished the series unbeaten. The Aussies, who spent Thursday night watching one of last year's under-19 representatives, Ashton Agar, bat his way into history in the Ashes series in England, failed to get inspired and were thoroughly outplayed. Indian captain Vijay Zol won Player of the Series award after a dominant performance with the bat. The Australian openers - Matthew Short (25) and Damien Mortimer (10) - put 36 runs on the board before the remaining side folded out after adding just 39 more to the total. Left-arm seamer Milind triggered the Australian downfall by getting Short caught by Deepak Hooda at short midwicket. Milind struck again getting Ben McDermott (3) to flick one to square leg. Hooda then grabbed his three wickets further destabilise Australia's innings. The Indian chase was never in any trouble except for the early loss Akhil Herwadkar (0). But opener Ankush Bains (40) and No.4 Sanju Samson (20) steered the side home with ease. The only other wicket to fall was of Zol, who departed after scoring 9 runs.