Australia Under-19s came back from mediocre performances in the initial two one-dayers to register a commanding eight-wicket win, and salvage some pride, against Pakistan Under-19s in the final match at Gold Coast. Australia’s bowlers ripped through Pakistan’s top-order, reducing them to 8 for 3, and then kept a stranglehold on the innings before Cameron Bancroft and Kurtis Patterson guided the chase with half-centuries.
Pakistan, who had chosen to bowl in the other matches, batted this time but fell into a hole early on with Harry Convay and Joel Paris among the wickets. Imam-ul-Haq, 77, and Umar Waheed, 52, struck a 128-run partnership for the fourth wicket but the rest of the batting was shaky and the last five wickets fell for 20 runs, thanks to off-spinner Ashton Turner’s three wickets and two run-outs. Seamer Mark Stekeete supported Turner well, conceding 14 runs in his 7.5 overs and claiming a wicket.
Cameron Bancroft, with a solid 76, increased his runs tally to 143 for the series and was named man of the series. Kurtis Patterson, who struck 83 in the opening one-dayer, remained unbeaten on 52.
Speaking after the win Stuart Law, Australia’s coach, suggested bowling first helped. “I think today’s result is probably indicative of the other two games and we fought back today to gain some respect and put some pride back into our performance. I think winning the toss and bowling first was a major asset for those first two games and we had to come out today and bowl well, and we did.”
“The first two losses made us sit up and work out a plan against this kind of attack – most teams are going to have this sort of attack, and our boys went about rectifying their earlier mistakes.”
Australia travel to Brisbane on Saturday to play warm-up matches against West Indies on August 7 and Scotland on August 8. The Under-19 World Cup starts on August 11.
SCORES: Australia Under-19s 180 for 2 (Bankroft 76, Patterson 52) beat Pakistan Under-19s 179 (Imam-ul-Haq 77, Turner 3 for 38) by eight wickets.
