A trio of Sydney University representatives have secured berths in the U19 National Champs grand final with NSW Metro and Cricket Australia XI to meet in the decider on Friday.
Opening bowler, Lawrence Neil-Smith, has been powerful with the ball for NSW Metro taking 14 wickets throughout the tournament at an average of 13.21. He was instrumental in the Qualifying Final win on Tuesday with 5 wickets and was superb again in today's Semi Final against Western Australia with 2-21 from 7 overs.
Ryan McElduff joins Neil-Smith in the NSW Metro squad for Friday's final. McElduff has found opportunities tough to come by with a star studded top order who has only lost 40 wickets across their 7 matches. McElduff scored an unbeaten 29 in NSW Metro's only loss, to a powerful Queensland team in Round 5.
Sydney University is assured a national champion, with Neil-Smith and McElduff on one side and with 15-year old A.W. Green Shield quick, Dominic O'Shannessy, part of the Cricket Australia XI. O'Shannessy gave his best performance of the tournament today in his team's semi final win over South Australia, claiming 4-53 from his 10 overs.
The Under 19 National Championship final will be played on Friday at 1.30pm at Blundstone Arena, and will be live-streamed and free-to-view via www.cricket.com.au.