A burgeoning Australian Under-19s pace attack has steamrolled Sri Lanka in yet another brutal World Cup display, winning by nine wickets in Namibia on Friday evening.
After winning the toss and electing to field, the reigning champions smelt blood from ball one to take a trio of wickets in a six-ball stretch that left the Lions reeling at 3/3 after just 20 balls.
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Only two partnerships from there on reached double figures, and even then, none surpassed the 12 put on for the fourth wicket as Sri Lanka were bowled out for a record low of 58.
Opening bowler and New South Welshman Will Byrom was Australia’s main star of the show, claiming the stunning figures of 5/14 off 6.5 overs to put Sri Lanka to the sword.
His bowling on a fourth and fifth-stump line caused the opposition trouble all innings, and set him up well to then bowl several wicket-taking short balls.
“It’s not a surprise for me, he gets me out for fun in the nets! I certainly know what he can do, and it was great for him to show the world,” Australian captain Ollie Peake said post-match.
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Byrom’s stunning rise comes as even more of a feel-good story, considering the Northern District quick was a last-minute replacement in Australia’s squad less than a week out from the tournament.
The outstanding bowling from Queenslander Charlie Lachmund (2/19 off five) at the other end no doubt played a part in his teammate’s success, with the tearaway quick looking unplayable at times.
The 18-year-old consistently left batters short on time with his yorker, as well as inducing repeated play-and-miss outside off stump. Additionally, his use of the bowling crease gave Sri Lanka little certainty over the angle his deliveries would take.
“It’s pretty unbelievable. We came into the game treating it very seriously. They are (a) serious team, so it is pretty good to go out there and bowl them out for such a low total,” Lachmund said during the innings break, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo.
“To see Byrom get a five-for is just unreal. We didn’t really emphasise planning too much, we just focused on bowling well, hitting the right areas, and putting the ball in a good spot.”
Fellow quicks Kasey Barton (2/13) and Hayden Schiller (1/11) inflicted the damage on the Lions’ lower order, meaning the Aussies spent less than 19 overs in the field.
From there, Australia’s chase of the minisucle target was over and done with 38 overs to spare, but did see last game’s record-setter Will Malajczuk depart in the opening over with a corking ball from Rasith Nimsara.
First-game centurion Steve Hogan (28 not out off 27) and Nitesh Samuel (19* off 40) chased down the total themselves, with the latter still yet to be dismissed this tournament after unbeaten scores of 77 and 60 in the opening two matches.
Both Australia and Sri Lanka have progressed through to their respective ‘Super Sixes’ groups alongside Ireland, with only Japan eliminated so far from their Group A after going winless in the initial group stage.
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