India down Aussies in U19 World Cup; Lanka, SA win
tauranga — Excellent batting by the top order, coupled with some superb bowling, propelled India to a big 100-run victory over Australia in a Group B match of the ICC U19 World Cup here on Sunday.
Electing to bat, India rode on half-centuries from Prithvi Shaw, Manjot Kalra and Shubman Gill to post a formidable total of 328/7 in their 50 overs. Indian pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti then picked up three wickets each as the Australians were dismissed for 228 in 42.5 overs. Nagarkoti picked up 3/29, while Mavi finished with 3/45.
The Indian pace trio of Mavi, Nagarkoti and Ishan Porel clocked over 145 km per hour during their spells. An injury to Porel was the only cause of concern for the Indians. An excellent all-round performance by Jack Edwards was the only bright spark for Australia on the day.
Edwards returned figures of 4/65 with his right-arm medium pace and was the only Australian who stood up to the Indian bowlers, posting a 90-ball 73 before being bowled by left-arm spinner Anukul Roy.
The Indians dominated proceedings from the moment skipper Shaw won the toss.
Shaw led from ther front, scoring 94 runs in a 100-ball innings which contained eight boundaries and a couple of sixes.
He did, however, go through a moment of anxiety when he was caught behind off Will Sutherland’s bowling. But television replays revealed that Sutherland had overstepped.
Shaw received a second reprieve, again off Sutherland’s bowling, when he mistimed a pull only to be caught at deep backward square.
The Indian captain was, however, dismissed off the very next ball when he was caught by Baxter Holt on the off-side.
The Indian total was the highest ever by any team against Australia in an U19 World Cup. —