U19 World Cup: Allround Australia brush aside South Africa

An all-round performance, led by Charles Lachmund, helped Australia clinch a comfortable 6-wicket win over South Africa in their opening Super 6 game.

Put in to bat, South Africa were pressed on the backfoot early with opener Armaan Manack trapped leg before for a first-ball duck. Jorich Van Schalkwyk and Muhummed Bulbulia steadied the innings briefly, but once Bulbulia was cleaned up by Will Bryom, their innings collapsed. Paul James and Van Schalkwyk stitched a 30-run stand—the highest of the innings—but it could do little to stop Australia's charge. Bryom and Aryan Sharma chipped in with two wickets each.

Despite losing Will Malajczuk early, Australia had little trouble in the chase. Steven Hogan anchored the innings with a 73-ball 43. JJ Basson snapped three wickets to reduce Australia to 94 for 4, after which Alex Lee Young and Jayden Draper took the side over the line with ease, overhauling the target in the 33rd over.

Brief scores: South Africa 118 in 32.1 overs (Paul James 33; Charles Lachmund 3-29, Will Bryom 2-16) lost to Australia 122/4 in 32.5 overs (Steven Hogan 43; JJ Basson 3-41) by 6 wickets.

Micah McKenzie's four-fer helped West Indies secure a 25-run win (DLS Method) against Ireland in a rain-curtailed match to kickstart their Super Six campaign.

Electing to bat, West Indies' innings was led by Jewel Andrew, who crafted an 82-ball 66, including four boundaries and as many sixes. The 67-run alliance between Andrew and Jonathan van Lange set the stage for the team to post 226 before getting bundled out. Reuben Wilson was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, taking three wickets.

In response, Ireland made a steady start with James West stitching useful partnerships to help the side to 82/1 in the 18th over before getting cleaned up by Vital Lawes. That began Ireland's collapse, led by McKenzie, who ripped through the middle order. When rain halted play at the end of the 40th over, Ireland were tottering at 164 for 7.

Brief Scores: West Indies 226 in 46.5 overs (Jewel Andrew 66; Reuben Wilson 3-50, James West 2-24) beat Ireland 164/7 in 40 overs (James West 45; Micah McKenzie 4-36) by 25 runs (DLS Method).