Cricket: Young Australians stand firm

Young Australia maintained their unbeaten first-class record with a draw against Worcestershire in a tense finish at New Road yesterday.

Australia, set a target of 264 in 45 overs, faltered at 38 for three, but kept up the chase until Justin Langer, unbeaten on 72, was left with the tail-enders for company in the last hour.

Paul Thompson and Neil Radford worked their way through the tail, but the Australian captain remained untroubled, while Peter McIntyre kept out 21 deliveries as the visitors closed on 220 for 9.