Massive wins for India and Australia in U19 CWC 2024

AUSTRALIA THRASH ZIMBABWE

Despite missing a couple of key players, Australia marched to a 225-run win in Kimberley. Harry Dixon's 89 helped them close in on 300 before the bowlers helped bowl out Zimbabwe for merely 71.

Zimbabwe were in deep trouble in pursuit of Australia's 297.

Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas remained positive despite some good new ball work from Anesu Kamuriwo. Seven fours came in the first Powerplay, as Australia went closer to four runs per over.

The scoring rate picked up with the introduction of spin in the middle overs. Dixon took the lead, taking two fours in Ronak Patel's first over, while dispatching Ryan Simbi's second ball for a six. Konstas too went for his shots. However, his habit of dancing down the track to spinners led to his downfall, when he missed one from Brendon Sunguro and was bowled.

Arriving at number three, Hugh Weibgen went ahead at a brisk pace. He gave good support to Dixon, even as Australia looked set for a big total in Kimberley.

Dixon took charge in the boundary department, regularly dispatching fours, as Australia added 33 runs between overs 26-30. The left-hander looked all set for a three-figure mark, when he missed a swipe and was cleaned up by Sunguro. Australia's scoring rate reduced marginally in overs 31-40, as Zimbabwe tweakers made their impact felt.

A couple of quick wickets, including that of Weibgen (68), helped Zimbabwe take control at the start of the death overs. A cameo from Tom Campbell (47* from 28) eventually helped Australia finish close to 300.

Australia were off to an electrifying start with the ball. The young Chevrons lost a wicket off the very first ball when a pinpoint yorker from Mahli Beardman trapped Panashe Taruvinga leg before. Three balls later, Ryan Kamwemba tried to pull Beardman but mistimed it straight back to the bowler.

Charlie Anderson then cleaned up Campbell MacMillan for a duck to leave the side in dire straits. Things only got worse when Nathaniel Hlabangana tried to go for a run that wasn't there and was run out by Sam Konstas before he could get to safety.

A brief 40-run stand between Ronal Patel and Sunguro helped arrest the slide temporarily. Aidan O'Connor disrupted this rebuild when an ambitious hoick by Sunguro was intercepted in the deep. Harkirat Bajwa struck in the very next over with his off-spin when Kohl Eksteen tried to dispatch him into the stands but found the deep midwicket. 

Bajwa ran through the Australia tail and helped clean up Zimbabwe for 71. 

Australia qualified for the Super Six stage with this win. Dixon was named as the Player of the Match for his excellent knock.

INDIA CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER IRELAND

India dominated with bat and ball to secure a 201-run win against Ireland in Bloemfontein. Musheer Khan's sizzling ton was backed by Naman Tiwari's 4/53 and Saumy Pandey's 3/21, as India cruised to an emphatic win.

After being watchful at the start, Adarsh Singh opened his arms in the ninth over against John McNally. He hit the medium pacer for back-to-back fours, but soon nicked one behind while trying to go for a third consecutive four.

Musheer Khan kept ticking the ball around, as India managed to stick to around four runs per over. Ireland had another when Kulkarni tried to force the scoring rate, and tried to pull McNally. However, the lack of power in the stroke led to his downfall.

Skipper Uday Saharan then arrived at the wicket, and rebuilt the innings alongside Musheer.

The duo batted patiently before opening their arms; the first boundary of their stand came in the 31st over.

The scoring rate picked up thereafter, with a belligerent display in the final Powerplay. India reached the 200-run mark in the 42nd over.

Though Saharan departed after a well-made 75 in the 45th over, Musheer kept going at his end. He reached a well-made hundred, and along with the aggressive Aravelly Avanish guided India towards 300. And a cameo from Sachin Dhas (21* from 9) ensured that India crossed that line despite losing four wickets in the last 15 balls.

Musheer finished with nine fours and four sixes in his 118.

While Ireland didn't lose a wicket in the initial overs, they were also kept in control by the India bowlers. The Boys in Blue struck in the sixth over when Saumy Pandey cleaned up Jordan Neill. After struggling with his lines early in the innings, Naman Tiwari got it right in his fifth over and made an immediate impact. He got the wickets of Ryan Hunter and Phillipe le Roux in a space of four balls.

Ireland's innings went into a tailspin in the second Powerplay. Tiwari had another wicket of a short ball off the very first ball of the 11th over. Exactly six balls later, a sharp stumping from Avanish helped Pandey to his second. And when the disciplined Dhanush Gowda returned for his second spell, a stunning aerial catch from Murugan Abhishek helped him open his account. 

Wickets continued to tumble as Pandey had his third in the 14th over. Tiwari then struck once more in the 15th to leave Ireland eight down. A fighting ninth-wicket stand between Daniel Forkin and Oliver Riley helped Ireland stick around for a bit longer, but a big Indian win seemed inevitable. 

Ireland were bowled out in the 29th over.

Musheer Khan was the Player of the Match for his match-winning ton. With this emphatic win, India have cruised to the top of Group A.