Rain has the final say after Konstas rescues Australia
A washout in Kimberley ended West Indies’ hopes of making the semi-finals of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup even as Australia confirmed their berth by finishing on top of Group 2 in the Super Sixes.
It was, however, not a straightforward a result for them, after they were challenged at different stages by the West Indies. Having been put in to bat, they were restricted to a modest 227 for 8 with five of the batters who made double figures unable to kick on. They had then reduced West Indies to 24 for 2 in the fifth over when the rains came.
Maphaka bags six as South Africa thump Sri Lanka
West Indies’ loss was South Africa’s gain as they beat Sri Lanka by 119 runs in Potchefstroom to seal their semi-final berth alongside Australia from Group 2.
Maphaka finished with figures of 6 for 21, while Norton capped off a memorable day with a four-for that won him the Player-of-the-Match award.
Saharan, Dhas score centuries as unbeaten India march on
Saharan and Dhas were both on 11 off 15 balls at the 19-over mark, and from then onwards Dhas went on the attack. Promoted to No. 5, he got to a run-a-ball fifty in the 29th over, and finished with 11 fours and three sixes before falling in the 48th over. Saharan carried on and got to his century off from 107 deliveries.
Nepal dried up India’s boundaries in the death overs, conceding just 81 in the last 10 despite India going into the final powerplay with seven wickets in hand. They hit only five fours and a six in that period. One of them, midway through the 49th over, was expertly guided by Saharan between point and short third – it took him to 98, but he took his helmet off and began celebrating in the mistaken assumption that he had reached triple figures.
The milestone eventually came in the final over of the innings, as he ended the day as the World Cup’s second-highest run-getter.