The New Zealand Under-19s have suffered their first loss in three games in their Dubai Tri-Series, despite an 85-ball century to opener Glenn Phillips who got the team off to yet another strong start in a high-scoring encounter with Australia.
Phillips is now the leading runscorer from all countries in the Tri-Series with 210 runs at an average of 70, while the New Zealand Under-19s remain atop the points table.
Australia's Under-19s succeeded in posting 284/5 in order to chase down New Zealand's 281 for nine for their five-wicket win in the second encounter between the two teams.
It took a bustling Sam Harper century for Australia and a 104-ball 99 from Patrick Page to defeat the New Zealanders.
Otago's Nathan Smith picked up four of the five Australian wickets that fell for a haul of four for 51.
Mondiale Auckland Aces opener Phillips hit six sixes in his cracking knock, sharing a 148-run opening stand with Canterbury's Dan Stanley, who made a half century; with Devon Hotel Central Stag Josh Clarkson chipping in with 30 down the order.
The young New Zealanders lead the Tri-Series table and have one game remaining in Dubai, against Pakistan on 19 January evening NZ time, before heading to the ICC Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh.
New Zealand Under-19s 281-9 (Phillips 105, Stanley 56, Clarkson 30; Arjun Nair 4-29, T. O'Donnell 4-63) lost to Australia Under-19s 284-5 (Harper 103, Page 99; Smith 4-51) by five wickets.
