Ireland Under-19 lost their second Pool D match in the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka yesterday when they were defeated by 63 runs by Australia at the Colombo Cricket Club ground.

But this was a much better performance than their opening game against Sri Lanka, and is encouraging for their final Pool match, against Namibia. Victory would earn them a place in the Plate competition.

Peter Shields won the toss for Ireland and put Australia into bat. Jordan McGonogle got the first break-through when he removed Clarke with 45 runs scored, and subsequently five Australian wickets were down for 128 runs. Eventually, Australia were all out for 240.

Conor Armstrong was Ireland's most successful bowler, with the impressive figures of three for 23. Jonathan Gardner also captured three, although more expensively for 46 runs.

As against Sri Lanka, Ireland failed to establish a sound opening platform. Andrew White went in the first ball of the second over, Niall O'Brien was trapped leg before three deliveries later, and by the 30th over, when John Mooney was out for 17, Ireland had lost five wickets for 87 runs.

It's all to play for on Saturday, since a place in the Plate is a realistic ambition.