Honours were shared in two low scoring games at the weekend between the Australian and New Zealand Cricket Academies in Adelaide. New Zealand won the three-match series 2-1.

In the first game on Saturday, New Zealand decided to bat first on a good batting surface but failed to make the most of their opportunities. The batting order was rotated in order to provide the opportunity for the specialist batsmen to bat the entire innings.

Nick Horsley played loosely to be caught behind for nine when the score was 41. However, his opening partner Brendon McCullum was in punishing form scoring 33 from 39 balls before he was yorked by right-arm pace bowler Michael Thistle.

Shanan Stewart struck two fine boundaries and was on 15 when he got a fine edge to Luke Ronchi behind the wickets. He and McCullum were the only batsmen to reach double figures as New Zealand were all out in 34.3 overs for 113.

Beau Casson took four wickets for 15 runs from 8.3 overs. Tim Welsford also took two, for 24. At one stage New Zealand lost six wickets for only 18 runs.

But if New Zealand were disappointing with the bat they came out fired up with the ball and Wade Cornelius and Warren McSkimming produced some inspired bowling to have Australia 22 for four.

Sam Whiteman produced one fine piece of fielding which resulted in a run out. McSkimming's first six overs saw him take three for 16 while Cornelius' first seven overs cost only 10 runs.

A crucial lapse, when Welsford was dropped at mid off from Taraia Robin's first over just before the lunch break and when Australia were 29/4, proved costly. Welsford went on to be 47 not out at the end.

Australia lost Duncan Betts when he was run out by Jamie How after walking out of his crease following a leg before wicket appeal to be 52/5 and then lost their sixth wicket when Whiteman's introduction to the bowling crease brought an instant reward as he bowled Ronchi to have Australia 80/6.

But any hope of embarrassing the home team was lost when Welsford saw the team home in the 30th over.

New Zealand decided to bowl first in yesterday's game with Cornelius and McSkimming very tight. At one stage the Australians were 43/3 but a 47-run fourth wicket stand regained the Australian momentum before Shaun Marsh hit Greg Todd's first ball to McSkimming at deep square leg.

Cornelius also had some luck when off the first ball of his second spell he had Cameron Borgas taken at square leg for 29.

However, Welsford and Ronchi added 53 off 57 balls for the sixth wicket.

Cornelius, bowling with enthusiasm, aggression and accuracy, broke through again with a wicket from the first ball of his third spell while McSkimming finally had Welsford's wicket for 56 runs off 48 balls.

The Australians were all out in the last over for 206 with McSkimming 2-22, Cornelius 2-35, Whiteman 2-29 and Todd 2-56.

New Zealand's hopes of working the ball around for singles to keep the score moving was not effective during the top order batting as wickets fell regularly.

Stewart was watchful in scoring 62 runs off 105 balls, and featuring in a 63-run fifth wicket stand with Todd. However, Todd's loss, for 28, was followed in the next over by Stewart's departure, bowled by Casson. Worse followed when Reece Young and McSkimming followed quickly and it was left to Luke Woodcock and Whiteman to bring the New Zealanders the win.

They scored 35 off nine overs to see New Zealand home by two wickets with Xavier Doherty and Mark Cosgrove taking two wickets apiece.

© CricInfo