Commonwealth Games: Cricket - Young claims hat-trick as Kiwis are routed

THE GOLD medal favourites Australia stormed to a nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the second cricket semi-final, with the left-arm spinner Brad Young claiming a hat-trick as New Zealand were bowled out for just 58.

The Australians raced to their victory target in 65 balls for the loss of one wicket and will play South Africa in the final.

England's shooters weighed in with two more gold medals, Michael Gault claiming his third in the individual free pistol and Chris Hector winning his second in the air rifle competition.

Stewart Cruikshank won England's first weightlifting medal, taking silver in the 69kg class, while Wales's David Morgan won a silver in the 77kg snatch.

England's veteran cyclist, Shaun Wallace, had to settle for silver in the 20 kilometre final. Wallace, 37, made his first appearance in Brisbane 1982 where he took a silver and bronze; he missed out on Edinburgh and Auckland, but made his comeback in Victoria four years ago where he was second best again.

The Portsmouth soldier, Chris Bessey, led England towards their target of six boxing medals when he outfought Australia's Richard Rowles to reach the light-middleweight semi-final.

"I've got this far, now I'm going for gold," the corporal said after his 21-10 victory. The England captain joins the light-flyweight, Gary Jones, lightweight Andy McLean, middleweight John Pearce, light-heavy Courtney Fry and super-heavy Audley Harrison in the last four of the competition.