Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DEFENDING champions Australia have been flawless, while their opponents England have been perfect, with both teams winning five matches at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.o
They meet today in the semi-final at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The two cricketing nations will rekindle their rivalry, with the teenagers carrying their countries’ pride as they battle to book a place in the final.
Zimbabwe has been co-hosting the tournament with Namibia, and there are now three matches left to play. On Wednesday, it will be an Asian semi-final at Harare Sports Club in the capital, where India meet tournament bogey team Afghanistan, who have proved they are no pushovers.
The final will be played on Friday at Harare Sports Club. Australia have been dominant from the group stage, brushing past West Indies and South Africa to top their Super Six group.
The manner in which Australia beat South Africa stood out, skittling them out for a paltry 118 runs before chasing down the score to win by six wickets. It was only the West Indies who caused Australia some trouble, defending 324 runs to win by 22 runs, with captain Oliver Peake top-scoring with 109.
England’s last outing was against New Zealand on Friday, where they cruised to a 65-run win.
Australia brushed aside Bangladesh, who had posted 136 runs, which was chased down in 24 overs to hand the Aussies a seven-wicket win.
England go into today’s match with an advantage, having played twice at Queens Sports Club and being familiar with the conditions in Bulawayo.For Australia, it will be a test of how they adjust to a slow Queens Sports Club pitch with variable bounce, with both batting and bowling skills set to be examined.
Both teams boast top performers.
Australia have captain Peake and a potent pace attack led by Charles Lachmund, who has taken 12 wickets in the tournament, alongside Will Bryom with nine. England batter Ben Mayes is the tournament’s top run-scorer, with 375 runs from five innings at an average of 93.75 and a highest score of 191 not out. Bowler Manny Lumsden is the tournament’s equal top wicket-taker with 13, followed closely by Lachmund on 12.
What is evident is that those who make their way to Queens Sports Club will be treated to a day of quality cricket from two of the world’s top teams, as the future stars look to announce their arrival on the international stage.
