Australia U-19 Captain Peake Confident in "Well-Balanced Attack" After WC Win

Australia's Under-19 cricket team continued its unbeaten run at the World Cup with a commanding six-wicket victory over South Africa. Captain Oliver Peake praised his bowling unit's development and complementary styles, which bowled South Africa out for just 118. The successful chase, led by contributions from the top order, prepares the team for the knockout stages. Australia now looks ahead to a key Super Six clash against the unbeaten West Indies.

Key Points: Australia U-19 Captain Peake on Team's Unbeaten WC Run

  • Australia remains unbeaten in U-19 WC
  • Bowling unit dismantled South Africa for 118
  • Peake highlights complementary bowling styles
  • Top order sealed chase with ease
  • Next challenge is against West Indies
3 min read

"We're a really well-balanced attack and going really strong": Australia captain Oliver Peake speaks on his side's unbeaten run in U-19 WC

Australia U-19 captain Oliver Peake praises his team's balanced bowling attack after a dominant win over South Africa in the ICC U-19 World Cup.

"I feel like we're a really well-balanced attack at the moment and going really strong. - Oliver Peake"

Windhoek, January 26

Australia captain Oliver Peake believes his team is 'building in the right direction' at the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup, coming off yet another win in Namibia and moving a step closer to the knockout stage.

Four matches in Windhoek and now four wins, with their most recent victory the perfect way to commence their Super Six charge, as per the ICC website.

Australia sealed a six-wicket triumph over South Africa, completing their run chase with relative ease and no shortage of overs to spare.

The Aussies got home in the 33rd over after their bowling unit produced a high-quality display in the first innings to help set up the win.

Openers Charles Lachmund (3/29 off seven overs) and William Byrom (2/16 off five) impressed once again, while Hayden Schiller, Kasey Barton and Aryan Sharma all got among the wickets as well. The attack dismantled South Africa at the Namibia Cricket Ground, all out for 118 inside 33 overs.

"The bowling has come a really long way from the first practice match to now, and that was showcased again today," Peake said post-game.

"(The bowlers) have started really strong. I feel like the bowlers all complement each other really nicely. Obviously (Lachmund) swings them back in, and then (Byrom) is the other way and then (Schiller) and (Barton) come in through the middle and bowl with good pace and aggression. Then we've got the class of (Sharma) and (Will Malajczuk) with the spin if needed. So, I feel like we're a really well-balanced attack at the moment and going really strong," he added.

"The wicket was pretty challenging, and it was sort of a bit up and down and a little bit inconsistent, but it presented a new challenge, and if you hit the right areas for long enough, you generally got a wicket ... so that's probably the way the game unfolded."

Australia were so dominant in the group stage that their middle-order had barely been required. So it was viewed as a positive that the run chase drew on contributions from the top order.

Alex Lee Young and Jayden Draper both made unbeaten 21s to seal victory against the South Africans, helping prepare the team for another deep tournament charge.

"It was good to get a few other people a hit as well," Peake continued. With every game, it feels like we're building in the right direction."

Australia, next up, face the West Indies, embracing the challenge of taking on another team that has so far impressed throughout the tournament.

"To play against the West Indies will be a new challenge and something I'm sure we'll be up for. I feel like there's probably no better time to start coming up against the strong teams, as we feel like we've got plenty of momentum at the moment, and hopefully we can continue that on," said Peake.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
Interesting to see the name Aryan Sharma in the Australian side. Shows how cricket truly is a global game now. Good to see players of Indian origin representing other countries and doing well.
V
Vikram M
Their bowling attack seems very balanced, just like their captain says. But chasing 118 in 33 overs on a tricky wicket is a solid effort. The Windies match will be a good one to watch.
S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan (from the UK), it's great to see such confident young talent. Peake sounds like a mature captain for his age. The future of cricket is in good hands.
K
Karthik V
Respect to the Aussies, they always build strong teams from the grassroots up. Our BCCI needs to ensure our pipeline remains just as strong. The real battle for supremacy starts at this youth level.
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Priya S
Good performance, but let's not get carried away. South Africa U-19 isn't the strongest side this year. The article itself says their middle order hasn't been tested. The knockout pressure is a different game altogether.

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