Skipper Mitch Marsh almost single-handedly guided Australia to a two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in second semi-final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, just outside Christchurch, on Wednesday.
After dismissing Sri Lanka for 205 in 48.2 overs, the Aussies faltered in the run chase, losing regular wickets, before eventually getting across the line with 10 balls to spare at 206 for 8.
It was Marsh's 97, which included 13 boundaries, that engineered Australia's victory and earned him the man of the match award.
After play, he said he was very happy with the win, but more excited to be going on to play Pakistan in Saturday's final.
"I think run chases in finals are always pretty tough and they're the sort of games you never win two or three down. It's a credit to the boys at the end who stuck to their guns and got us over the line," Marsh said.
Marsh's innings was clinical from the moment he walked to the crease with the score at 1-3, but as wickets fell around him he continued to keep the score ticking over, eventually finding a good partner in wicketkeeper Tom Triffitt and he noted the importance of the partnership post-match.
"When you get those sorts of scores you always want to go on and make hundreds but it was a pretty good catch and at the end of the day it was just important for us to get the win," the 18-year-old said.
"Being 5-90 at one stage I think we've done pretty well to win and my partnership with Triff (Tom Triffitt) towards the end there was pivotal and that's what you need in these sorts of games."
The pair put on an 81-run partnership before Marsh departed with victory in sight at 6-172, but Triffitt continued on before departing with just four runs needed for 50.
Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Chathura Pieris won the toss and elected to bat, but the Aussie quicks had other ideas as they ran through the top order, leaving them reeling at 5-32 after 10 overs.
The Sri Lankan lower-order mounted a solid fightback that saw them post a defendable target over 200, with Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood finishing as the pick of the bowlers with 4-26 while his new-ball partner Alister McDermott was also destructive early, taking 2-43.
The form of the Australian fast bowlers has been a highlight all tournament and Marsh said he was very happy with their form today, especially early on.
"You always want to bat first on tracks like that but credit to the way the boys came out and the attitude of the fielders and bowlers," the West Australian said.
"In these sorts of games if you can bowl consistently good areas you're always going to get wickets and that's what the two big guys did at the start."
Looking ahead to Saturday's final with Pakistan, Marsh said he was excited about the challenge ahead and hopes to return home with a bit of silverware in the carry-on luggage.
"Pakistan's going to be a tough encounter, they're a very well drilled side and if we can just keep doing the basics right then I think we're in for a good day Saturday," he said.
"They've got a fair bit of experience at the top of the order and a few good spinners so we'll look to counter them and hopefully we can do the job."
On Monday, Hammad Azam hit an unbeaten 92 to power two-time former champion Pakistan to its fourth final. They beat the West Indies by four wickets in the first semi-final.
