Australia took a firm grip of their Youth Test with England Under-17's at Adelaide on Tuesday. They go into the third and final day of the game with a lead of 206 with eight wickets still remaining in their fist innings.

After skitilling England for 191 to give the Aussies a lead of 86, the home side took the game to England in the final session with some attacking batting. With Greg Hunt chipping in (28), it was Matthew Berriman who put the Australians in a position to win the game on day three. Still at the crease, he has made 63 from just 79 balls, striking 11 boundaries. The right-handed Victorian hit three crisp boundaries apiece from Gareth Andrew, Gary Scott and David Barrick as Australia raced to 100 at nearly five an over. Berriman saw the day out more sedately with Mark Faraday as Australia closed on 120-2.

Earlier in the day, England's innings coughed and spluttered, never more than threatening to get going. Barrick, alongside Joe Sayers and Bilal Shafayat made 30 without being able to go on. A 37 run stand between Barrick and David Stiff gave the innings some much needed impetus, though the Australian bowlers plugged away efficiently. Seamer Grant Sullivan was the pick of the bowlers, with 4-57, including the prize wickets of Shafayat and Scott. He did however, bowl a further seven no-balls in the day, taking his match tally to 15.

Australia will look to push on tomorrow to allow a good two sessions at the England batsmen.

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