Australia took one step closer to defending their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup title as they sealed a semi-final berth with a thrilling win over West Indies.
In the marquee Super Six Group 1 clash on Wednesday, Australia posted a daunting total of 314 for seven. Though West Indies ran them close, they eventually fell short by 22 runs, finishing their innings at 292 for nine.
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Australia are unbeaten in the tournament so far and became the first team from their group to progress to the final four. With eight points from four matches, they have opened up an unassailable lead in Group 1. Though the result set back West Indies’ chance to make the semi-final, they still have a minscule chance, along with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
After West Indies chose to field first, Australia put on a commanding show with the bat. Will Malajczuk (48) and Nitesh Samuel (56) gave them a solid start, stitching a 73-run partnership for the first wicket.
But it was captain Oliver Peake’s well-paced 109 that took Australia past the 300-mark. After a quiet start to the tournament, the southpaw came into his own against the West Indies on a batting-friendly strip at the Harare Sports Club. He struck nine fours and up his first century of the tournament with a six over long on.
Alex Lee Young (45) and Jayden Draper (29) chipped in with vital contributions lower down the order.
R’jai Gittens helped make inroads into the Australian innings, as he was involved in the first three dismissals. While the medium pacer dismissed Malajczuk and bowled over Steve Hogan, he held on to a catch to send Samuel packing. It was Jakeem Pollard who returned with the best bowling figures for West Indies, claiming two for 37 in his eight overs.
With a mountain of runs to scale, the West Indies marched out with intent. The left-handed Zachary Carter, especially, took the attack to the Australian bowlers. Even after star Aussie pacer Charles Lachmund ended the 88-run opening partnership as he trapped Tanez Francis leg before wicket, Carter continued to go for his shots. He struck seven fours and four sixes in a blazing innings of 64.
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Just when Carter was threatening to run away with the game, Peake introduced Naden Cooray into the attack. And the leg-spinner repaid his captain’s faith by bowling Carter on the first ball.
Despite Carter’s departure, West Indies were able to keep pace with Jewel Andrew and Joshua Dorne at the crease. While Dorne (62) dropped anchor, Andrew scored a quickfire 44 off 48 balls.
Hayden Schiller stalled the West Indies progress with timely wickets of Andrew and Dorne. A late onslaught by Jonathan Van Lange (26 off 19) livened things up, but it wasn’t enough to take them over the finish line. In the end, it was the defending champions’ ability to handle pressure that helped them close out the match.
