#ICCU19WorldCup: Australia beat India to win fourth title

A terrific all-round performance from the Australia U19s saw the youngsters crush India by 79 runs to win their fourth ICC U19 Men’s World Cup at Willowmoore Park on February 11.

In front of a packed and buzzing stadium, the Aussies weren’t intimidated by the hordes of Indian fans who tried to drown them out with noise as they dominated in all departments.

The batters did the work up front, scoring 253/7 in their 50 overs, with Harjas Singh striking a well-crafted half-century. But it was their brilliant bowling, led by a four-pronged pace attack, which followed that up with another ruthless display, ensuring the title went Down Under.

India torn apart

India’s chase got off to a disastrous start when opener Arshin Kalkurni edged a Callum Vidler (2/35) outswinger to Ryan Hicks behind the stumps in the third over.

Their troubles were not over as they struggled to deal with Vidler and Mahli Beardman’s pace, posting 28/1 inside the first power-play. However, after that, Musheer Khan – dropped in the fourth over – and Adarsh Singh put on 37 for the third wicket, targeting Australia seamer Charlie Anderson.

That prompted Australia skipper Hugh Weibgen to bring Beardman (3/15) onto the attack, and that decision instantly bore fruit. Khan hit the paceman for a four in his first ball but was out with the next ball when the seamer pitched it fuller and Khan (22 off 33) went on the defence, but the ball went off the bottom edge onto the stumps.

The wickets kept tumbling as Beardman got his second with the big scalp of India captain Uday Saharan, caught by his opposite number Weibgen at point, and spinner Raf MacMillan (3/43) struck with the first ball of his first over, dismissing Sachin Dhas, who edged to Hicks behind, leaving India in tatters on 68/4 in the 20th over.

Anderson was brought back into the attack and made an immediate impact with the wicket of Priyanshu Moliya before MacMillan struck again, dismissing Aravelly Avanish for a golden duck.

Adarsh Singh (47 off 77, including four boundaries and a six) fell three short of a half-century after edging a Beardman bouncer to the keeper, and MacMillan got his third of the innings with the dismissal of Raj Limbani for a five-ball duck.

Murugan Abhishek (42 off 46) and Naman Tiwari (14 off 35) tried to put on a fight later on, stitching together a hard-fought 46 off 52 for the ninth wicket, but that was in vain as Vidler and Tom Straker cleaned the tail, dismissing India for 174, leading Australia to the title by 79 runs, with 37 balls remaining.

Aussie batters take charge

At the start of play, Australia won the toss, chose to bat, and got off to a good start when Harry Dixon took 15 runs off Tiwari (2/68) in the second over. But Sam Konstas was sent for an early shower an over later by a Limbani (3/38) in-swinger, which he wanted to drive but was caught off balance, and the ball sneaked through to knock off the middle stump.

Weibgen joined Dixon in the middle. The skipper came out guns blazing as the duo put on 78 off 109 before Tiwari broke the partnership, dismissing Weibgen for 48. Dixon (42 off 56, including five fours and a six) followed his captain to the change-room in the 23rd over after rushing a Tiwari slow delivery, hitting it high, but the ball popped towards cover where Abhishek dived to his left for a fine catch.

That brought Hicks and Singh together, and they set about a positive 66-run third-wicket partnership before Hicks (20 off 25) was trapped in front by Limbani, shortly after Singh had brought up the 50-run stand with a six that landed on the roof of the main pavilion.

After bringing up his 50, Singh was trapped by Saumy Pandey in the 38th over, departing for 55 off 64, which included three boundaries and three maximums, but the job was already done as they ended on 253/7, giving their bowlers a decent score to defend.

Beardman was named man of the match for his match-winning figures of 3/15, including two maidens, and South Africa paceman Kwena Maphaka was named the player of the series for his 21 wickets, which included a record-breaking trio of five-wicket hauls.

Also Read: #ICCU19WorldCup: Australia wins it at the death to qualify for final

Also Read: #ICCU19WorldCup: SA left to rue missed opportunity as India qualifies for final

Gallery: