Australia reached its third successive ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 semi-final

A magnificent century by West Indies’ wicketkeeper-batsman Nicolas Pooran went in vain as Australia reached its third successive ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 semi-final with a comfortable five-wicket victory in front of the Star Sports cameras at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Pooram, who came out to bat in the fourth over of the morning with the West Indies tottering at seven for three, was the last batsman out after scoring a scintillating 143 that lifted his side to 208 in 49.5 overs after it had collapsed to 70 for eight. However, the target proved to be a small one for the Australians who achieved the victory in 46.4 overs for the loss of five wickets after openers Matthew Short and Jaron Morgan put on 107 runs for the first wicket.

In Wednesday’s second semi-final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Australia will go head to head with South Africa which carved out a one-sided nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan. Justin Dill’s four-wicket burst helped bowl the Asian side out for 197 and then opener and captain Aiden Markram hit an unbeaten 105 to guide his team home in 39.2 overs.

On Monday, former champions England and Pakistan will lock horns at Dubai International Cricket Stadium for a place in the final. The match will start at 1200 (local time).

The West Indies’ decision to bat first after winning the toss badly backfired when it plunged to 70 for eight in the 27^th over. At that stage, Pooran, who was batting on 38, changed gears and went on to play one of the finest knocks in the history of the tournament.

Pooran clobbered 14 fours and six sixes in a 160-ball innings and added 136 runs with number-10 batsman Jerome Jones (20). Pooran’s 50 came from 76 balls and included six fours and a six, while he reached his century from 133 balls with eight fours and five sixes. Out of his final 43 runs that came off 27 balls, 30 were scored through boundaries.

 

Pooran’s innings was finally ended by fast bowler Guy Walker who finished as the pick of Australia’s bowlers with three for 44. Ben Ashkenazi (two for 37) and Thomas Andrews (two for 57) were the other wicket-takers.

 

Australia, in its run-chase, was never in trouble after Short and Morgan provided their side a 107-run first wicket stand in 21 overs. Even though both the openers departed in the space of five balls, Jake Doran ensured there we no hiccups as the three-time champion reached victory in 46.4 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Morgan hit eight fours and a six in a 66-ball 55, Short’s 62-ball 52 inclu

ded four fours while Doran scored 49 not out from 64 balls with three fours.

Pooran, reflecting on his innings, said: “At 70 for eight, I wasn’t thinking much. I just wanted to do what my coaches had said, which is to bat, bat and bat, and occupy the crease as much as possible.

“I was kind of surprised with the kind of support I got from Jones because he’s a guy who likes to play his shots.

“Definitely this is one of the best innings I have played to date, but I am disappointed that we did not win. When you make runs, you want to see your side to win rather than lose.”

 

Australia captain Alex Gregory praised Pooran when he said: “Pooran played an outstanding innings. He was in control the whole time and played some outstanding shots.”

The captain was delighted with his side’s performance and form. “It’s a great moment for all the boys. We lost to Afghanistan, but it’s great to get a win here in the quarter-final.

“(Guy) Walker and (Billy) Stanlake were very good earlier on. They bowled fast from the word go and that’s what you need your fast bowlers to do.”

Previewing the semi-final against South Africa, Gregory said: “South Africa is a very strong team and we just need to put out and perform and hopefully it will come good for us.”