Another disciplined bowling performance from Australia’s Under-19 side has kept the reigning champions unbeaten at this World Cup, defeating South Africa by six wickets on Sunday.
After winning the toss for the third time in four games, Australia opted to field once more and send the Proteas in to bat against their potent pace attack.
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It took usual suspect Charlie Lachmund just two balls to make inroads in Windhoek, Namibia, trapping opener Armaan Manack dead in front for a golden duck with a late in-swinger.
The Queensland tearaway has impressed all tournament with his new-ball bowling, and again looked unplayable in tandem with Friday night’s hero Will Byrom as the pair took two wickets each with the new ball.
Lachmund finished with the figures of 3/29 from seven overs to claim Man of the Match honours, while Byrom (2/16 from five) and left-arm orthodox Aryan Sharma (2/27 off 8.1) were the side’s other multiple wicket-takers as they bowled South Africa out for just 118.
“It’s (the pace attack) gelling quite nicely … it’s really nice to see everyone gel and put together a couple of complete performances that set us up for big wins,” Lachmund said post-game.
Proteas all-rounder Paul James top scored with 34, and was one of just three players to reach double figures for the Proteas.
Despite the comfortable victory, Australia fielded the poorest they have done all tournament, grassing several chances including two by Sharma at point early in the field. That narrative was softened though by a sensational run out from Jayden Draper, who claimed a direct hit despite having only one stump to aim at.
With the bat, Western Australian young gun Will Malajczuk fell early for four, five days on from his record-breaking 51-ball hundred against Japan to see Australia 1/7 early.
Steve Hogan made sure his side took home the full points with a compact 43 off 73 balls, shouldering the brunt of the responsibility after captain Ollie Peake was caught behind for 10 trying to cut a steep ball off the bowling of left-arm quick JJ Basson (3/41 off 10).
Hogan’s 45 comes after a crisp 115 against Ireland in Australia’s first hit out, and currently sits third for most runs (201) of any batter in the tournament.
Wicketkeeper Alex Lee-Young (21 not out) gritted out the back-end of a brutal spell of bowling from Bayanda Majola to finish unbeaten, even wearing short balls on the body in his first innings of the tournament.
He was accompanied at the crease by Draper (21*), who hit his second ball of the day — and tournament — for six with a blistering hook shot. The pair reached the target with 17.1 overs to spare.
“They did really well to finish (the game) clinically,” captain Peake said after the win.
Earlier, opening batter Nitesh Samuel was also finally dismissed for the first time this tournament, departing for 16 after square driving on the up.
The New South Welshman had scored 77, 60 and 19 heading into the Super Sixes match without giving away his wicket, though at a slower strike rate than his teammates.
Australia is all but locked in to take part in the semi-finals, and next play the West Indies on Wednesday night, departing Namibia for the first time this series to play in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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