Australia, Afghanistan start U19 World Cup campaigns with convincing wins

Windhoek: Australia and Afghanistan began their ICC U19 World Cup campaigns on a strong note with dominant victories over Ireland and South Africa, respectively, at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek on Friday.

In the opening match, Australia brushed aside Ireland by eight wickets, powered by a brilliant century from Steven Hogan. 

Hogan shared a 186-run partnership with Nitesh Samuel, setting the foundation for a comfortable chase.

After being put in to bat, Ireland got off to a slow start as openers James West and Freddie Ogilby struggled to find momentum. 

West fell for 11, dismissed by John James, while Sebastian Dijkstra was trapped in front by Charles Lachmund in the 18th over. 

Rob O’Brien then joined Ogilby and gradually rebuilt the innings, putting together a 43-run partnership.

Offspinner Will Malajczuk ended Ogilby’s resistance at 49 in the 29th over, while O’Brien continued to attack sporadically, finishing with 79 off 98 balls in the 49th over, helping Ireland post a total of 235.

Australia’s chase got off to a flying start, with Malajczuk hitting a four and a six in the opening over. After his dismissal in the third over, Hogan and Samuel took charge, scoring their half-centuries off 50 and 62 balls respectively. 

Their century stand came in the 21st over, and Hogan reached his century off 97 balls in the 32nd over, hitting 11 fours and a six. 

Medium-pacer Luke Murray broke the partnership by having Hogan caught behind for 115, but by then Australia required just 20 runs. 

Samuel remained unbeaten on 77, and along with Ollie Peake, guided Australia to victory with 62 balls to spare.

In the day’s third match, Afghanistan defeated South Africa by 28 runs in a high-scoring contest. 

Batting first, Afghanistan posted 266-8 in 50 overs, with three half-centurions — Faisal Shinozada (81 off 95 balls), Khalid Ahmadzai (74 off 102), and Uzairullah Niazai (51 off 51) — anchoring the innings. 

Shinozada’s knock featured eight fours and two sixes, while Ahmadzai struck six fours and one six, and Niazai’s run-a-ball fifty included eight fours.

In response, South Africa fell short, bowled out for 238 in 47.4 overs despite Jason Rowles’ valiant 98 off 93 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes. 

Corne Botha contributed 25 runs down the order, with Lethabo Phahlamohlaka and Daniel Bosman adding 22 and 20 runs respectively.

Bayanda Majola and Botha claimed three wickets each for Afghanistan, while JJ Basson picked up one.