Aussie U19s flame old foe to stay unbeaten
AUSTRALIA has one foot in the Under 19 World Cup semi-finals, after thumping old foe England by 110 runs in a rain impacted match overnight. Under ominous skies in Kimberley, the Aussies posted 6-266 before defending the total with force on either side of a two-and-a-half hour weather delay.
>> U19 World Cup: Group Stage recap
Victorious skipper Hugh Weigben lost the toss but made up for it in spades with a terrific knock of 120 (126) to set the platform for his side’s win. One of the tournament’s best innings was very nearly cut short, though, as the number three was dropped with just 19 runs on the board.
He amassed 15 boundaries in the match-high knock, combining with opener Harry Dixon (53 off 63) in a busy second-wicket stand of 105 runs. Weigben was the sixth and final wicket to fall, with late squad inclusion Oliver Peake (25*) the only other batter to post more than 20 runs.
The thundery weather reduced England’s chase to just 24 overs, but that wasn’t before Callum Vidler (4-29) tore through the top order. Removing each of England’s top four batters, the tearaway quick had them reeling at 4-60 before the rain delay, delivering 21 dot balls in his five-over spell.
As things cleared up, the chase was adjusted to read 215 required off 155 deliveries. England revised its approach to go more aggressive, but it worked only to hand the Aussies easier wickets. In the end, 104 fell well short of the mark with just 16.5 overs in the books.
The result sees Australia remain undefeated after its first of two Super Sixes clash, sitting atop Group 2 with a 4-0 record. A clash with the West Indies awaits tomorrow, while England is reeling at 1-3 on the verge of elimination. The Lions will next face Zimbabwe on Saturday.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Australia def. England by 110 runs via DLS Method.
POTM: Hugh Weibgen (Australia)
TOSS: England won the toss & elected to bowl.
Australia 6-266 (50)
Hugh Weibgen 120 (126), Harry Dixon 53 (63), Oliver Peake 25* (28)
Callum Vidler 4-29 (5), Raf MacMillan 3-16 (3), Tom Straker 2-16 (4)
England 10-104 (16.5/24)
Charlie Allison 26 (16), Ben McKinney 22 (10), Hamza Shaikh 14 (10)
Theo Wylie 4-42 (10), Sebastian Morgan 1-39 (7), Tazeem Ali 1-46 (10)