Jan.23 (CRICKETNMORE) - Leg-spinner Lloyd Pope produced a dream spell of 9.4-2-35-8 as Australia defeated England by 31 runs in a dramatic fashion at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown to march into the Super League semifinals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup on Tuesday.
Australia elected to bat on a sunny day but were bowled out for 127 in 33.3 overs with skipper Sangha waging a valiant battle. Sangha struck seven fours during his 91-ball 58 and was the ninth man out.
Australia were tottering at 86 for seven when Sangha put on 36 runs for the eighth wicket, the highest partnership of the innings, with Zak Evans (12). Opener Max Bryant (16) and Nathan McSweeney (10) were the other Australia batsman to reach double-figures.
For England, fast bowlers Dillon Pennington (three for 27), William Jacks (three for 21), Ethan Bamber (three for 31) bowled beautifully and exploited the conditions well.
Pennington provided England a near-perfect start when he removed openers Jack Edwards (3) and Bryant with Australia’s scorecard reading 22 in the fourth over. Bamber then picked up first of his three wickets when he dismissed Jonathan Melo (4) as Australia slipped to 27 for three.
Brief Scores
Australia beat England by 31 runs, John Davies Oval, Queensland
Australia 127 all out in in 33.3 overs (Jason Sangha 58; Dillon Pennington 3-27, William Jacks 3-21, Ethan Bamber 3-31)
England 96 all out in 23.4 overs (Tom Banton 58; Lloyd Pope 8-35)
Player of the match: Lloyd Pope (Australia)
ICC Media Release