U-19 World Cup: Aus, Ind win warm-up matches

Christchurch [New Zealand], Jan 13 (ANI): India and Australia started their preparations for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 with comfortable victories in the warm-up matches being played in Christchurch, before the 16-team tournament gets underway on January 13.

India and Australia, who have lifted the trophy three times each and are scheduled to go head to head in Tauranga on Sunday, January 14, put up strong displays on the second day of the warm-up matches.

India completed a convincing 189 runs victory over South Africa, while Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs.

England too had the pleasure of seeing their two batsmen hit centuries as the 1998 champions defeat Ireland by 125 runs.

Australia had a good outing against Sri Lanka as most of their players came good with either the bat or ball.

They got runs through opener Jack Edwards (50) and Jonathan Merlo, who smashed four fours and four sixes during his knock of 78.

The total of 251 for seven in 50 overs was easily defended as all-rounders Will Sutherland and Jason Rolston made good use of the seaming conditions to finish with three wickets each, while Austin Waugh, son of Steve Waugh, picked up two wickets as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 198 in 42.5 overs.

Sri Lanka were 64 for six in the 17th over and it took an 84-run seventh-wicket partnership between Hasith Boyagoda (69) and Ashen Bandara (51) to lift the Asian side to a decent score.

Meanwhile, Indian batsmen seized control against South Africa through a 138-run fourth-wicket partnership between Aryan Juyal (86 off 92 balls) and Himanshu Rana (68 off 69 balls), which was supplemented by several small but useful efforts, taking the side to 332 for eight in 50 overs.

India fast bowler Ishan Porel ripped through South Africa's top-order with a four-wicket haul, while Abhishek Sharma followed his useful 35-run knock with two wickets even as the 2014 champions were dismissed for 143 runs in 38.3 overs.

For South Africa, Jean du Plessis fought a lone battle while scoring 50 off 82 balls.

"It was a good win for us, just getting used to these conditions. We dominated and executed quite well and we are practising hard so all credit to the boys," said India captain Prithvi Shaw.

It was also a fine outing for England as they posted an imposing 372 for eight against Ireland with captain Harry Brook and Will Jacks both retiring at 100 each and Fin Trenouth producing a brisk 41-ball 73 with five fours and five sixes.

Ireland were all out for 247 in reply, with captain Harry Tector scoring 104 (118 balls, 12x4, 2x6) and Joshua Little getting a half-century after grabbing three wickets earlier in the day. (ANI)