Australia clinch ICC U-19 World Cup

Australia became ICC Under-19 World Cup champions for the fourth time on Saturday, cruising to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the tournament final.

South Africa scored 206 for nine in 50 overs after winning the toss, but the confident Australians eased to 209 for three in 45.1 overs, opener Jarrad Burke top-scoring with an unbeaten 100.

Burke was on 96 with just two runs needed for victory but the elegant left-hander guided his side home in style with the 11th boundary of his innings, an edged four wide of South African wicketkeeper Zwelibanzi Homani.

Australia had earned the favourite's tag for the title after progressing easily through their group games and also in the Super League stage of the competition.

Chasing 207 to win on Saturday, they were always comfortably up with the required rate until Burke and skipper Cameron White (22) increased the tempo with victory in sight.

"We decided before the tournament that we would give it a fair dinkum crack and try our best and, if we could do that, there was every chance we would win," said White, who finished as the tournament's top run scorer.

"And we have done that."

REGULAR INTERVALS

South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals, and an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 33 between Homani (52 not out) and number 11 Ian Postman (13 not out) was the third biggest partnership of the innings.

Opener Greg Smith made 51 before being undone by the left-arm spin of Xavier Doherty but the hero of the Australian attack was medium pacer Aaron Bird, who took four for 47 in 10 overs.

South African captain Hashim Amla said his side had set themselves a target of scoring more than 220 after winning the toss.

"It was a beautiful batting strip but we backed ourselves to defend anything over 220 on it," he said.

"But we didn't put the goods together. We wanted to put the pressure on their middle order because they haven't batted too often in the tournament. We wanted to get among them."

Australia won the inaugural Under-19 World Cup on home soil in 1988, beating Pakistan in the final.

Scores:

South Africa 206-9 (Zwelibanzi Homani 52 not out, Greg Smith 51; Aaron Bird 4-47), Australia 209-3 in 45.1 overs (Jarrad Burke 100 not out).

Mail Cricket Editor