U19 World Cup: Australia look for fourth crown

Kangaroos to take on India in the final today.

TOWNSVILLE:

Two-time winners India will face defending champions Australia in the final of the ICC Under19 World Cup today.

Australia has previously won the title in 1988, 2002 and 2010, and if they manage to beat India, they will become the second side to win back-to-back titles after Pakistan.

India captain Unmukt Chand, however, is looking to record his name as a winning captain after Mohammad Kaif and Virat Kohli took the trophy home in 2000 and 2008, respectively.

“We are now well-adjusted to the playing conditions here in Townsville,” said Chand. “I am confident my team will perform well when we’ll meet Australia in the final.”

Australia will start the final today as firm favourites, having not lost a single match at the mega event so far. After overcoming England, Nepal and Ireland in the group matches, they defeated Bangladesh in the quarter-finals before getting the better of South Africa in the semi-final. Their form throughout the tournament has made them favourites for the prestigious title.

India, meanwhile, lost its first match to the West Indies but regained its form by ousting Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea and went on to beat Pakistan in a nerve-wrecking quarter-final by one wicket. They sealed their spot in the final courtesy a nine-run win over New Zealand in the semi-final.

South Africa beat NZ to claim third spot

Meanwhile, South Africa claimed third position in the event after easily cruising past New Zealand by eight wickets.  Jan Frylinck set the tone of the match by taking two wickets off two balls in the second over as New Zealand were routed for just 90 after opting to bat. South Africa then cruised home in less than 15 overs, losing just two wickets in the process.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2012.