India continued their recent dominance over the Australian under-19 cricket team with a 47-run win on Tuesday in the international series at Marrara Oval in Darwin.

India’s bowlers sparked a dramatic collapse – Australia losing 6-19 to be all out for 174 – after the home side appeared on track to reach a target of 222.

Ben McDermott batted well for a half-century, but the rest of Australia’s young line-up could not capitalise on their starts. India’s Kuldeep Yadav led the way with 3-19.

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl on what looked to be a variable wicket but India’s openers looked ominous early and untroubled by Darwin’s subcontinent-like conditions.

Wickets were hard to come by for the Aussies until Matthew Kelly dismissed top-scorer and man of the match Ankush Bains (64 from 100 balls) in the 39th over.

Australia’s bowlers built pressure and performed well at the death, taking seven wickets in the last 10 overs to dismiss India for 221.

Cam Valente (3-39) and Gabe Bell (3-34) were the pick, with Kelly (2-45) and Matt Fotia (2-46) also sharing the spoils.

Australian batsman Ben McDermott said his team were disappointed with their first loss of the series.

“We batted really well in our first game on this wicket when we scored 226 and thought we could chase India’s score down. We thought it was very gettable but it got away from us and we were a bit below par where we needed to be with the bat today.

“Their spinners bowled really well and varied their pace.”

India are the reigning U-19 ICC World Cup champions after beating Australia in the final last August in Townsville.

In Tuesday’s other match in Darwin, New Zealand beat Papua New Guinea by 133 runs at Tracy Village.

Big scores by Ken McClure (78) and Alec Hodgson (71) took NZ to 9-259, although PNG’s Kabua Morea (4-44) impressed with the ball. In reply, PNG were all out for 126.

Round three of the series will be played on Thursday when New Zealand play India, while Australia take on PNG in a friendly.