U19 World Cup: Defending champion Australia reaches Super League quarter-finals

Defending champion Australia sealed in a place in the Super League quarter-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 from Group A after registering a six-wicket victory over Ireland at Endeavour Park 2 in Townsville on Monday.

Australia bowlers Alex Gregory (three for 13), Shane Cassell (three for 24) and Gurinder Sandhu (two for 35) shared wickets between them as Ireland was skittled out for 129 in 42.5 overs after electing to bat first. In turn, captain Will Bosisto (36 not out) and Sam Hain (26 not out) put on 59 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership as Australia achieved the target with just under 10 overs to spare.

It was Australia’s third successive victory, which meant it is assured of a place in the last eight stage of the tournament which will be played in Townsville and will start on 19 August. The top two sides from all the four groups qualify for the Super League quarter-finals while the bottom two sides complete in the Plate Championship.

The winner of Thursday’s match between England and Nepal, which will be played at Tony Ireland Stadium in front of ESPN STAR Sports’ HD cameras, will confirm which other side joins Australia from Group A in the quarter-final stage.

Also reaching the Super League quarter-final stage were Pakistan and New Zealand from Group B. New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by a narrow eight-run margin which meant Pakistan and New Zealand went through from their group. However, Thursday’s match between New Zealand and Pakistan will confirm which side tops the group and which finishes second.

In the other matches of the day, two-time former champion India defeated Zimbabwe by 63 runs despite Malcolm Lake’s 118 at Tony Ireland Stadium while South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (126) and Chad Bowes (115) smashed entertaining centuries to inspire their side to a thumping 209 runs victory over Namibia at John Blanck Oval in Brisbane.