India record comfortable 100-run win over Australia in their opening match of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand
Aussie U19s defeated in World Cup opener
Australia have faltered in their opening match of the Under-19 World Cup as India cruised to a comprehensive 100-run win on Sunday at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.
India compiled a monster total of 7-328 from their 50 overs after batting first before dismissing Australia for 228 in reply in the 43rd over.
Allrounder Jack Edward's star act was in vain for Australia, with the 17-year-old NSW product collecting 4-65 off nine overs before top-scoring with 73 runs opening the batting.
Image Id: 75CFC8B4CB474594A8388B5F15715C19 Image Caption: Jack Edwards acknowledges his half-century // Getty/ICCThe young Australians struggled to make early inroads with the ball, as India put on 180 for the first wicket thanks with captain Privthi Shaw (94) and Manjot Kalra (86) leading the way.
Shubman Gill (63) also raised the bat for India, while Victorian Will Sutherland (1-55) and Param Uppal (1-35) among Australia's better performers with the ball.
In reply, Max Bryant (29) and Edwards got Australia off to a solid start, before No.4 Jonathan Merlo chipped in with 38.
However, Australia lost their final eight wickets for just 83 despite a fighting knock of 39 off 30 balls from wicketkeeper Baxter Holt.
Selfie time for India after a dominant win! 🇮🇳🤳 #INDvAUS #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/PBYUPWyv9G%E2%80%94 ICC (@ICC) January 14, 2018
Australia's next match is against Zimbabwe at Lincoln on 17 January.
In other U19 World Cup action on Sunday, South Africa racked up a 169-run win over Kenya at Lincoln.
Raynard van Tonder's player-of-the-match knock of 143 anchored South Africa to a mammoth 7-341, with the skipper compiling a 125-run partnership with Jiveshan Pillay (62) for the second wicket.
Gerald Coetzee finished the South African innings with a flourish and his 36 off 14 balls included two fours and three sixes.
Good morning South Africa! 🇿🇦 While you were sleeping, Raynard van Tonder hit a sensational 143 to lead the Proteas U19s to a 169 run win over Kenya at #U19CWC - here's the best bits of his innings! 👏 pic.twitter.com/FmPrpYwash%E2%80%94 ICC (@ICC) January 14, 2018
Kenya battled gamely through to 7-172 off their 50 overs. Jasraj Kundi top-scored with a 53-ball 41 after leading the Kenyan bowling effort with figures of 2-49 off eight overs.
In Whangarei, Sri Lanka looked comfortable in easing to a seven-wicket win over Ireland with 63 balls to spare.
Openers Jamie Grassi (75) and Mark Donegan (36) put on 73 for the first wicket as Ireland reached 8-207 after winning the toss.
Sri Lanka wasted no time in blasting their way to 3-208 off 37.3 overs and opener Dhananjaya Lakshan scored an unbeaten 101.
Ireland snaffled three quick early wickets to have Sri Lanka 3-51 after 12 overs, but Lakshan and skipper Kamindu Mendis (74) compiled an unbeaten 157-run fourth wicket partnership to secure the win.
Australia U19 squad: Jason Sangha (NSW, captain), Will Sutherland (VIC, vice captain), Xavier Bartlett (QLD), Max Bryant (QLD), Jack Edwards (NSW), Zak Evans (VIC), Jarrod Freeman (TAS), Ryan Hadley (NSW), Baxter Holt (NSW), Nathan McSweeney (QLD), Jonathan Merlo (VIC), Lloyd Pope (SA), Jason Ralston (NSW), Param Uppal (NSW), Austin Waugh (NSW).