Aussies in U-19 World Cup final

Australia cruised through to the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a 93-run win over the West Indies at Lincoln near Christchurch on Thursday.

The overwhelming favourites for the championship scored 252 for eight, with Craig Simmons top-scoring with 84 and Cameron White chiming in with 64.

The West Indies were on target at 132 for four after 32 overs, but then collapsed to be all out for 159 after 40 overs.

"The scores give the impression that was an easy win for us, but it was a tough encounter," Australian coach Wayne Philips said.

The Australians, who play South Africa in Saturday's final, based their victory around three impressive spin bowlers, left-armers Beau Casson, Xavier Doherty and Jarrad Burke, who each grabbed two wickets and strangled the West Indies batting.

The West Indies innings began poorly but was rescued by an 82-run partnership for the third wicket by Tonito Willett (83) and Narsingh Deonarine (40), before the last seven wickets fell for just 27 runs.

Australia had earlier had a characteristically steady innings with Simmons and White posting a 105-run partnership for the third wicket.

Nepal beat Bangladesh by 23 runs for a place in the Plate Championship final against Zimbabwe.

Mail Cricket Editor