Australia wins their fourth Under-19 World Cup title

Australia the new Under-19 World Cup champions celebrate the win over India in the final 

Australia won their fourth Under-19 World Cup title with a convincing 79-run win over defending champions India in Benoni on Sunday. It was the first time Australia beat India in the final, having lost on two occasions previously.

The win came on the back of the senior Australian team beating India by six wickets in the ICC Cricket World Cup final at Ahmedabad last November.

That India were up against it was apparent when Australia racked up 253/7 after opting to bat, the highest total in an Under-19 World Cup final. The difficulty of the run-chase at hand came through in the maiden over bowled by Callum Vidler to kickstart the second innings.

As if playing to the build-up, Arshin Kulkarni nicked behind in Vidler’s next over. Musheer Khan, who was dropped on nought by Harry Dixon, was soon bowled by one from Mahli Beardman that stayed low.

Uday Saharan, the India captain who’s pulled off rescue acts for India in multiple games including the semi-final, cut a delivery from Beardman straight to backward point and took the long walk back to the pavilion.

What followed was an anticipated collapse from India as they slipped from 55/3 to 91/6. Adarsh Singh, India’s opener and top-scorer at 47 from 77 balls, put on a brave front, but India went on to be bowled out for 174 inside 44 overs, with Beardman and Macmillan sharing six wickets between them.

Australia braved past India’s breakthroughs by way of crucial stands. The first one worth 78 runs came between Harry Dixon (42) and Captain Hugh Weibgen (48). When both fell in the space of 14 balls, Harjas Singh and Ryan Hicks added 66 runs for the fourth wicket. Harjas scored 55 off 64, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes en route to his highest score this tournament, whereas Hicks played the foil and scored 20 off 25. Oliver Peake’s 46* off 43, featuring 2 fours and a six, then helped Australia add 66 runs in the final 10 score and put in front of India a record total to chase in the final. The previous highest was England’s 242/3 against New Zealand in 1998, achieved while chasing.

Scores: Australia 253/7 (50) (Harjas 55, Weibgen 48, Peake 46*; Limbani 3/38)

India 174 (43.5) (Adarsh 47; Beardman 3/15, Macmillan 3/43)