Australia were off to a flying start in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 as the three-time champions breezed past hosts West Indies by six wickets in Georgetown, Guyana, on Friday. Cooper Connolly’s side required just 40.1 overs to take all ten West Indian wickets and spearheaded by opener Teague Wyllie, chased down their target of 170 to win with ease. (More Cricket News)
Opting to bat after winning the toss, the West Indies were off to a disastrous start as they found themselves reeling at 12 for three in the sixth over at the Providence Stadium, with pacer Tom Whitney and leg-spinner William Salzmann doing the damage.
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Auguste joined wicketkeeper Rivaldo Clarke (37 off 42 balls) in the middle and the two stitched together a partnership of 95 runs for the fourth wicket, steadying the innings in the process. However, the home team suffered another collapse following the dismissal of Clarke by Indian-origin spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan (3/48) in the 22nd over.
Radhakrishnan struck two more blows, sending back Anderson Mahase and Johann Layne in quick succession to leave the West Indies at 131 for 8 in only the 32nd over. Cooper Connolly, who is leading the Australian team in the age-group tournament, too bagged three wickets including the significant one of Auguste, after which the hosts struggled to recover.
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Opening the Australian bowling, Whitney too, returned impressive figures of 3/20 in 8.1 overs. Batting at number nine, McKenny Clarke struck 29 off 35 balls, with the help of three sixes and two fours to stretch the innings and add some valuable runs to the West Indies total.
In reply, Australia overcame early dismissals of top-order batters Corey Miller and Isaac Higgins to power to a straightforward victory. Wyllie remained not out on 86 off 129 balls with the help of eight fours while Radhakrishnan (31) and Connolly (23) also contributed in the team’s victory.
Brief scores: West Indies U-19 169 in 40.1 overs (Rivaldo Clarke 37, Ackeem Auguste 57; Tom Whitney 3/20, Nivethan Radhakrishnan 3/48, Cooper Connolly 3/17) lost to Australia U-19 170/4 in 44.5 overs (Teague Wyllie 86 not out) by six wickets.
With ICC inputs
