July 26, 2006	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 29, 1427

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CAIRNS, July 25: Mitchell Johnson took two wickets and effected run out in the final over to give Australia ‘A’ a thrilling tie with Pakistan ‘A’ in a limited overs match at the Top End cricket tournament on Tuesday.

Johnson took three for 46 and ran out Mohammad Irshad from the final ball of the match to leave the teams and scores deadlocked.

Shaun Marsh had made 82 from 87 balls and Mark Cosgrove 81 from 122 balls as Australia A made 233 for eight in 50 overs, batting first.

Mohammad Hafeez top scored with 96 from 116 balls as Pakistan ‘A’ reached 233 for nine in reply.

Pakistan ‘A’ needed 21 from the last three overs to win but were unable to surpass Australia ‘A’s total.

''It doesn't get much closer than that,'' said Australia ‘A’ coach Tim Nielsen.

''It's very pleasing for (Johnson). He's played pretty well most games. To see his skills improving every day is a real positive for us.''

In an earlier match, a century to Jesse Ryder helped New Zealand ‘A’ to a seven-wicket win over India ‘A’.

Mark Gillespie took five for 35 as New Zealand restricted India ‘A’ to 216 and Ryder's innings of 114 from 84 balls sealed New Zealand's win with 15 overs remaining.

Ryder hit 10 fours and six sixes in an outstanding innings, finding support from test opener Peter Fulton who made 54 not out.

New Zealand ‘A’ and Pakistan ‘A’ meet in the final match of the tournament on Thursday.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA ‘A’:

S.R. Watson lbw b Khalil 8

B.J. Haddin c Rafatullah b Khalil 7

M.J. Cosgrove c Salman b Irshad 81

T.R. Birt b Khalil 10

S.E. Marsh c Misbah b Rehman 82

P.A. Jaques not out 28

J.R. Hopes b Hafeez 8

M.G. Johnson run out (Salman) 4

B.R. Dorey c Irshad b Rehman 0

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-2, W-2) 5

TOTAL (8 wickets; 50 overs) 233

FALL OF WKTS: 1-11, 2-16, 3-36, 4-181, 5-207, 6-227, 7-232, 8-233

BOWLING: Irshad 9-1-43-1; Khalil: 6-1-22-3; Ayub 9-0-43-0; Hafeez 10-23-4-1; Rahman 10-0-64-2; Alam 4-0-24-0

Pakistan ‘A’:

Mohammad Hafeez c Birt b Cullen 96

Riffatullah Mohmand b Hopes 29

Misbah-ul-Haq c Johnson b Hopes 7

Bazid Khan c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 21

Hasa Raza c Dorey b Johnson 39

Fawad Alam c Birt b Johnson 17

Abdur Rehman b Watson 3

Mohammad Salman c Dorey b Johnson 4

Mohammad Irshad run out (Johnson) 0

Mohammad Khalil not out 0

EXTRAS (B-5, LB-7, W-2, NB-3) 17

TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) 233

FALL OF WKTS: 1-73, 2-86, 3-143, 4-184, 5-213, 6-225, 7-229, 8-233, 9-233

BOWLING: Johnson 8-0-46-3; Dorey 10-1-29-0; Hopes 7-0-27-2; Hifenhaus 9-0-33-1; Cullen 8-0-46-1; Watson 8-0-40-1.

Umpires: G.A. Baxter and R.L. Parry

Match referee: D.J. Harper.—Agencies

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