The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) men’s cricket team have had a good start to the Emerging Players Tournament, winning three of their first five matches.

Australia batted first against New Zealand, on 21 July at Brisbane’s Peter Burge Oval, reaching six wickets for 300 runs in 50 overs, of which Steven Smith scored 125, not out. AIS Captain Rod Quiney also performed well, scoring 58 runs, as did team-mate Matthew Wade who chipped in with 61. Tim Southee was the best of the New Zealand bowlers, picking up two for 74 off ten overs.

New Zealand got off to a poor start in their innings, with Bradley John Watling out on only two. George Worker was the top scorer for New Zealand with 32 runs, but it was not enough to save the Kiwis, who were dismissed for 110 runs in 30.5 overs. AIS 19-year-old left-arm seamer James Faulkner was outstanding, taking three wickets for four runs off just five overs.

The AIS repeated their success on the Peter Burge Oval on Thursday 23 July, this time against India. India won the toss but lost early wickets to be bowled out 139 runs from 41.3 overs. Vimal Kohli was the top scorer for India with 35 runs. The AIS cricket team chased the target with 14.3 overs to spare and cruised to victory losing just three wickets. South Australia’s Tom Cooper topped the AIS innings with 72 runs.

Steven Smith demonstrated his ability as an all rounder, bowling three for 13 from just 5.3 overs. Australia’s John Holland took two for 39, while India’s Nizar Niyas snared two for 15.

Australia’s winning streak came to an end on 24 July, losing to South Africa on Brisbane’s Sandgate Oval. The AIS posted a massive score of nine for 313 but, in a thrilling finish, South Africa chased the huge total with just one wicket and two balls to spare.

The AIS were back on top with a three-wicket win against New Zealand on 26 July at Brisbane’s WEP Harris Oval, but South Africa maintained its position at the top of the table with a comfortable six-wicket win against the AIS in a Twenty20 match on 27 June, back on Sandgate Oval.

Australia play India again today, this time at the WEP Harris Oval.