In a low-scoring Under-19 World Cup 2024 encounter at Diamond Oval, Kimberley, Australia survived a scare against Namibia. The Pacers wreaked havoc in the group stage clash. Australia captain Hugh Weibgen's gritty unbeaten 39-run knock helped Australia recover from the batting collapse and win the match by four wickets chasing a total of 92.
Earlier, Weibgen won the toss and opted to field first. Callum Vidler let the new ball talk with the wickets of opener Johannes de Villiers and wicketkeeper-batter JW Visagie. Opener Gerhard Rensburg tried to play out the new ball and faced 32 deliveries to score two runs before becoming Tom Straker's first victim of the day. Zacheo van Vuuren (29) and skipper Alexander Volschenk (21) got starts but failed to convert them.
Namibia suffered another batting collapse and were bundled out for 91 in 33.1 overs. Vidler took four wickets in 8.1 overs. Straker took three wickets whereas Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan accounted for the rest.
Chasing a target of 92, Sam Konstas got bowled by Jack Brasell in the third over. Harry Dixon was the next to fall after scoring 16 runs from 24 balls. Brassell struck again to dismiss Harjas Singh. Hanro Badenhorst then got rid of wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Hicks. He followed it up with the wicket of Corey Wasley to reduce Australia to 57/5 in the 13th over.
But Australia managed to recover. The crucial 30-run partnership between Weibgen and MacMillan took them to the doorstep of victory. Henry van Wyk got the wicket of MacMillan but it turned out to be a consolation. In the 20th over, Weibgen finished the game with a boundary to lead his side to their first win of the tournament.
Bangladesh beat Ireland
In the other game of the day, Bangladesh beat Ireland by six wickets with 19 balls to spare. Kian Hilton's 90 helped Ireland post a fighting total of 235/8. Bangladesh lost wickets in the middle overs but chased down the total in the 47 overs. Mohammad Shihab James scored an unbeaten half-century in the run chase. This is Bangladesh's first win in two games. On the other hand, Ireland retain the top spot on Group A points table despite the loss.
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