WI U19 VS AUS U19 SUPER SIX MATCH 8

Right then, that is it from this abandoned game. The two finalists from this group are Australia Under-19 and South Africa Under-19, while West Indies Under-19 misses out narrowly. However, there is still one match going on in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024 where India Under-19 are on the verge of victory against Nepal Under-19. You can just switch tabs to enjoy all the action of that game. Cheers!

Hugh Weibgen, the skipper of Australia Under-19 says that they are excited to play in the semi-final and he also credits West Indies Under-19 for playing well. He continues that he was a bit quiet in the dressing room at the time of the innings break but he had full faith in the boys. He praised Sam Konstas for his exceptional knock, and his important runs saved them at the end of the inning. He also praised Charlie Anderson as he took two wickets with the new ball. He ends up saying that they had a bit of tactical error with the bat, and they would like to continue the good form in the semis as well.

Stephan Pascal, the captain of West Indies Under-19 says that it's a bit unfair to end their campaign like this but he feels like everything happens for a reason. Adds that the big partnership in the middle for the Aussies was the turning point of the game as they bowled well in the initial stages and at the death. He tells that because of the situation of the game, Nathan Edward couldn't complete his spell. Ends up saying that they need to have more awareness and patience in the game, which they will work on, in the future.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Australia Under-19 managed to post a competitive total on the board courtesy of a fantastic hundred from Sam Konstas along with good contributions from skipper, Hugh Weibgen, and Rafael Macmillan. They lost half their side by under 100 runs but recovered really well to finish strongly. Nathan Edward was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies Under-19 with three wickets while Isai Thorne also continued his good form and picked up a couple. Except for Joshua Dorne, every other bowler chipped in with one wicket each. While chasing, skipper, Stephan Pascal started well with a couple of boundaries but fell in the first over, and then they lost another one before lighting halted proceedings here, and we could not get any further action as the two teams shared the points.

Bad news folks! The inevitable has happened and this game has been called off due to rain. The umpires were out to have a look at the conditions but they have decided that no further play is possible here at the Diamond Oval. We only got to see 4.3 overs of action in the chase, but it was filled with entertainment. The Windies batters hit a few lusty blows, but it was Charlie Anderson who stole the show with his two wickets while Callum Vidler also showcased his skills as a fast bowler. West Indies Under-19 knew that they had a tough ask on their hands, and the lighting and rain further dented their hopes here. However, they leave South Africa on the back of some excellent performance and a lot of learnings and experience. Australia Under-19, on the other hand, finishes on top of their Super-Six group with the shared points and will be looking forward to a semi-final now.

UPDATE - 8.08 pm IST (2.38 pm GMT) -  It is now raining in Kimberley and it is all gloomy out there. In other news, South Africa U-19 have defeated Sri Lanka U-19 by 119 runs. That result means that the hosts have qualified for the semi-finals and kills off all hopes that the West Indies Under-19. However, the Windies will still hope to finish on a positive note, but for that, the game needs to be resumed here. We hope that we get to see at least some action here. For now, the waiting game continues here...

UPDATE - 7.04 pm IST (1.34 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, the covers are still firmly on and there is a lot of flashing and lightning going on. The players are waiting patiently in the dressing room but it does not look like we will have a resumption anytime soon. While we continue to wait here, two other matches are going on currently in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024. South Africa U-19 are taking on Sri Lanka U-19 in a high-stakes encounter while India U-19 are up against Nepal U-19. You can just switch tabs to enjoy all the action of both games.

Oh..no! Lightning strikes once again at Diamond Oval! It is not exactly right above the ground but close enough for the Umpires to take the players off for safety reasons. We hope the game resumes soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

FOUR! Gets off the mark with a boundary! Charlie Anderson bangs this short and around leg, Jordan Johnson swivels and tries to hook it away, but gets a top edge as the ball flies over the keeper and to the fine leg fence for four runs.

Fuller and on off, keeps low, Jordan Johnson tries to block but gets an inside edge onto the leg side.

Jordan Johnson walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Charlie Anderson strikes again! Joshua Dorne has to walk back for a low score as well. This is on a hard length and around off, holds its line this time, Joshua Dorne stays in his crease and tries to push at it with no footwork again, and only manages to get a thin outside edge behind where Lachlan Aitken takes his second catch of the match. West Indies Under-19 in a spot of bother now!

On a length and on off, Joshua Dorne knocks it towards wide of mid off where the fielder fumbles and allows the single.

EDGED AND FOUR! Callum Vidler bangs this short again and outside off, Joshua Dorne slashes hard at it but gets an outside edge that flies over the slips for another boundary.

FOUR! Up and over! This is short of a length and outside off, Joshua Dorne uses his feet to creat some room, gets on top of it and crunches it over backward point for a boundary.

Touch fuller, on off, shaping away, Joshua Dorne steers it towards point.

Callum Vidler bangs in a sharp bouncer now around off, Joshua Dorne goes for the pull shot but fails to connect.