In what was easily the most exciting game of the tournament so far Argentina A chased down 175 to defeat Chile on day 3 of the South American Championships. Argentina A won the toss and put Chile into bat. The Chilean innings got off to a slow start with Hooper and Walker only putting on 6 runs before Walker ( Man of the match from day 1) was caught in the slips by Dugmore (Man of the match from day 2).

Prateek and Hooper then battled for the next 18 overs against some determined Argentina fielding and bowling with Ciaburri bowling particularly well 16/1 from 8 overs) With the score on 67 Prateek (23) was caught a bowled by Tissera bringing Craig Andrews to the middle. Andrews and Hooper put on a quick 20 runs before a call for a quick single found both batsmen at the same end and Hooper was run out on 31. Andrews (29) was the next to fall LBW to Casime with the scare on 124. Argentine Captain Tuñon then snagged three wickets for 23 runs as the Chilean middle order pushed the total to 175 for 8 at the end of their 40 overs.

Argentina’s opening batsmen Gibson (27) and Mauro (26) set the tone for the chase with 3.5 runs an over through the first 17 overs until Gibson attempted an “easy” second run against Bradbrooks arm at deep mid wicket. A sizzling low throw hit the stumps directly sending an astonished Gibson back the pavilion. Mauro followed a few overs later when Bradbrook took a great catch off the bowling of Prateek. Lucas Paterlini (22) got Argentina over the hundred mark before he tried to hit Meade over the top and was caught on the boundary by Andrews.

Argentina still need over 5 an over from the last 14 overs when captain Tuñon joined Dugmore in the middle. Dugmore was very nearly run out by another incredible piece of fielding from Bradbrook. A TV replay would have shown the Dugmore’s diving bat crossing the line and the ball hitting the stumps nearly simultaneously. Chile bowled extremely well but the Argentines continued to pick up enough runs each over to keep the chase alive.

Tuñon (26) was finally run out by Meade with 11 runs required from 18 balls. Andrews then put the pressure on the new batsman Williams with four dot balls … a maiden over would bring the game down to a run a ball … but Williams had other ideas. A massive 6 followed by a huge 4 and the game was tied. Dugmore (44*) knocked off the final run at the start of the 39th over and Argentina A won a very exciting and entertaining game of cricket. Dugmore picked up his second consecutive man of the match award

Argentina A beat Chile by 6 wickets. Sao Paulo, 10 April. Chile 175-8 (40 overs, G Hooper 31, C Tuñon 3-23) Argentina A 176-4 (38.1 overs, G Dugmore 44*, C Gibson 27, D Mauro 26, C Tuñon 26)