Western Australian rising star Will Malajczuk produced a breathtaking display overnight, smashing the fastest hundred in Under 19 World Cup history to lead Australia to an eight-wicket win over Japan.
Chasing a modest target of 202, the left-handed prodigy dispatched 12 fours and five sixes on his way to triple figures in just 51 balls, in an innings that laid the foundation for the Aussies to win with 125 balls (20.5 overs) to spare in Namibia.
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Malajczuk’s knock is also the second-fastest in Under 19’s ODI history, second only to Pakistan’s Sameer Minhas, who went ballistic to register a 42-ball hundred only a fortnight ago against Zimbabwe.
After his eventual departure on 102 off 55 balls, Malajczuk’s opening partner Nitesh Samuel (60 not out off 73 balls) and No.4 Tom Hogan (19 not out off 27) completed the chase with ease against Japan’s rotating trio of spinners.
Malajczuk maintained a relentless tempo throughout the innings, reaching his half-century in just 23 balls — a mark that also secured him the fastest fifty in the tournament’s history.
His ability to punish anything short and wide of length was particularly prominent, as was his willingness to capitalise on loose deliveries.
The likeness to South African star and role model Quinton de Kock was clear, with Malajczuk’s aggressive stroke play from ball one leaving the Japanese attack with few answers.
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“He’s an incredible player … it helps all of us through the middle (of the batting order) to get such a great start,” Australia captain and emerging superstar Ollie Peake said post-game.
Malajczuk had the privilege of training with Australia’s Test squad ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth late last year, just months after having to decide between Australian rules and cricket as his primary sport. The top-order batter was also named in Western Australia’s 14-man squad for a domestic one-dayer back in September last year.
Australia’s opening pair raced to 0/94 inside the first 10 overs, with 70 of those runs coming from Malajczuk’s bat.
Earlier, a resilient 79 not out from Japan No.3 Hugo Tani-Kelly — who plays grade cricket for Northern Suburbs District in Queensland — provided his side with a brief glimmer of hope, despite coming at a far more conservative strike rate than his Australian counterparts.
It comes just days after the 17-year-old became the first-ever Japanese player to score an Under 19 World Cup hundred, after his 101 not out against Sri Lanka last Saturday.
Parramatta leg-spinner Naden Cooray was Australia’s best with the ball, claiming 3/31 from his full quota of 10 overs. Late squad inclusion Will Byrom also made an immediate impact, striking with his opening delivery of the tournament on his way to figures of 2/32.
Australia’s dominant win secures them a spot in the next stage of the tournament with a game to spare, next taking on Sri Lanka in a battle for top spot in Group A on Friday.
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