Pope (8/35) helps Australia defend 128

QUEENSTOWN: It was safe to say that Australia were written off at the halfway stage given that they were bowled out for a measly 127 in 33.3 overs in Queenstownon Tuesday.

Yet, they bounced back in fine fashion to defend that total and not just make a game out of it, but also go on to pick up a 31-run win in the Super League Quarterfinal of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

After opting to bat, Australia would’ve been disappointed with their effort, with only captain Jason Sangha being the saving grace with a half-century (58) while no other batsman surpassed 16. Ethan Bamber, Dillon Pennington and Will Jacks shared the wickets between themselves, picking up three each as Australia were restricted to a rather small total.

England opener Tom Banton scored more than half the runs that the team managed collectively, but yet, it wasn’t enough as Lloyd Pope ran through the line-up returning figures of 8 for 35. Only one other reached double figures in a scorecard that was studded with single digit scores as England were bowled out for 96 in 23.4 overs.

Brief scores: Australia 127 in 33.3 overs (Jason Sangha 58; Ethan Bamber 3-31, Dillon Pennington 3-27, Will Jacks 3-21). England 96 in 23.4 overs (Tom Banton 58; Lloyd Pope 8-35).

Sri Lanka vs Kenya at Lincoln: A hapless Kenyan team were skittled for 108 in 35.5 overs as they succumbed to a massive 311-run loss. Hasitha Boyagoda’s 152-ball 191 headlined Sri Lanka’s innings as they amassed a massive 419 for 4 in their 50 overs. There were as many as two half-centurions apart from him, but it was his knock that single-handedly gave the innings the impetus it needed in the Plate quarterfinal.

Nishan Madushka (60) and skipper Kamindu Mendis (53) got fifties, but it was the skipper’s knock, along with an unbeaten knock from Nuwanidu Fernando that came in quick time and propel the total towards the end. While Kamindu’s 53 came in 21 balls, Nuwanidu’s 35 came in just 18 balls.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 419/4 in 50 overs (Hasitha Boyagoda 191) beat Kenya 108 in 35.5 overs (Thomas Ochieng 45; Hareen Buddhila 4-27). Windies vs Ireland: Windies overcame an Ireland challenge in the Plate quarterfinal, albeit with a bit of a scare whilst chasing 279. There was many as three half-centuries, but yet Ireland were in the game picking up wickets at regular intervals. It came down, however, to Nyeem Young, whose unbeaten 55 off 33 balls led them to victory.

Earlier, Neil Rock’s 91 led Ireland’s innings. Skipper Harry Tector put up runs upfront with 68, as others got starts. It came down to Rock’s knock that helped Ireland post 278 for 8 in their quota of overs. Jeavor Royal picked up three wickets, but bowled as many as five wides, as Windies gave away 17 extras - 15 of which were wides.

Brief scores: Ireland 278/8 in 50 overs (Neil Rock 91, Harry Tector 69; Jeavor Royal 3-59). Windies 281/6 in 48.2 overs (Bhaskar Yadram 53, Emmanuel Stewart 50, Nyeem Young 55*; Max Neville 2-53).