In the recent ICC final, India faced familiar challenges: their bowlers struggled to contain the opposition, allowing them to score freely, while the batsmen found it difficult to handle the pace and bounce of the opposition’s bowlers.
The quote attributed to Gary Lineker about the German football team can be adapted to describe the dominance of the Australian cricket team, particularly in big finals. Much like the German football team, Australia has a reputation for winning crucial matches, often at the expense of their opponents, including India. In the past seven months, Australia has defeated India three times in the final of significant global cricket tournaments: the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the ODI World Cup final, and the U-19 World Cup summit clash. This consistent success highlights Australia’s prowess in handling pressure situations and emerging victorious when it matters most.
Australia’s journey to the U-19 World Cup final wasn’t smooth sailing, unlike India’s relatively smoother path. They faced a tough challenge in the semifinal against Pakistan but managed to scrape through. However, in the final showdown against India, Australia displayed a ruthless performance reminiscent of their senior team’s dominance. They posted a formidable total of 253 for 7, the highest ever in an U-19 final. The pitch conditions, described by commentator Ian Bishop as one of the fastest and bounciest for a U-19 World Cup, favored Australia’s bowlers. They capitalized on these conditions to bowl out India for 174 runs, securing their fourth U-19 title with a convincing 79-run victory.
Australia’s medium pacers, Callum Vidler and Mahli Beardman, capitalized on the fast and bouncy pitch, causing trouble for India’s batsmen with their pace.
Charlie Anderson and Tom Straker maintained pressure with their tight bowling, while off-spinner Raf MacMilan capitalized on the situation, taking three wickets. Vidler, who declined to name the fastest bowler among them, struck early by dismissing opener Arshin Kulkarni.
Adarsh Singh and Musheer Khan survived the powerplay, but Beardman, coming in as the second change, dismantled the top order. Hailing from Dunsborough, West Australia, Beardman, who has represented his state, increased the pace, leaving the Indian batsmen rattled and tentative.
Like many pacers from the region, Mahli Beardman was heavily influenced by the legendary Dennis Lillee. Beardman had approached Lillee three years ago, urging him to mentor him, but Lillee initially declined, sticking to his rule of not working with anyone until they turned 16. However, Beardman persisted, and eventually, at the age of 15, he convinced Lillee to take him under his wing.
After finally convincing Dennis Lillee to mentor him, Mahli Beardman had a fruitful initial session with the legendary figure at the South Perth nets. Their rapport clicked instantly, and Beardman has since regarded Lillee as a significant mentor in his cricketing journey.
Mahli Beardman, known as “Quick-gun Beardman” for his pace, made an immediate impact in the match by picking up wickets in his very first over. He dismissed Musheer Khan and later removed India’s captain Uday Saharan, who was the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Beardman’s aggressive bowling style, combined with his pace and accuracy, troubled the Indian batsmen throughout their innings.
Mahli Beardman expressed his gratitude to Dennis Lillee during the post-match presentation, acknowledging the valuable lessons he learned from the Australian legend. He credited Lillee for teaching him not only technical aspects of bowling but also mental aspects such as strategic thinking and field settings. Beardman emphasized that Lillee’s mentorship had a significant impact on his development as a cricketer, and he cherished the opportunity to bowl alongside him.
India would be particularly disappointed by Raf MacMillan’s impact, as his three wickets were unexpected, akin to facing a question that wasn’t part of the syllabus. MacMillan, a part-time bowler, made an immediate impact by dismissing Sachin Dhas with his first delivery, ending his promising innings. Aravelly Avanish also fell victim to MacMillan, chipping a catch back to the bowler for a duck. Raj Limbani’s dismissal, yorking himself, symbolized the end of India’s hopes in the match.
India’s bowlers would lament their inability to contain Australia’s batting onslaught, allowing them to post a formidable total of 253 for 7. Despite dismissing Sam Konstas early, they struggled to contain Harry Dixon and Hugh Weibgen, who built a crucial partnership of 78 runs for the second wicket. Although they managed to take quick wickets thereafter, Harjas Singh’s resilient innings turned the tide. Singh, who had struggled for runs previously in the tournament, showcased his prowess with a vital 55 off 64 balls, including three sixes against the spinners.
India’s captain Saharan attributed their defeat to the batsmen’s failure to execute plans against Australia’s pacers, lamenting the rash shots and lack of time spent in the middle. Alternatively, it could be attributed to facing Australia, the Germany of world cricket, renowned for their prowess in big tournaments and consistent winning performances.
India’s captain Uday Saharan emerged as the highest run-getter in the tournament, amassing 397 runs with a century and three fifty-plus scores.
Australia clinched their fourth U-19 title, marking their first victory since 2010. This victory also marks their 14th ICC title overall.
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