Australian opener Jarrad Burke reached his century with the boundary that won his team the final of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) under-19 World Cup tournament at Lincoln University yesterday.
Australia, winners of the inaugural tournament (then called the Youth World Cup) in 1988, were untroubled to take the trophy for
a second time.
Burke's boundary came off the first ball of the 46th over and Australia had lost just three wickets in overtaking South Africa's disappointing total of 207 for nine.
The match might have had an earlier finish had it not been for some stubborn resistance from the South African tailenders.
South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat, were reasonably placed at 85 for two. But the loss of captain Hasim Amla at that score started a collapse which reduced South Africa to 116 for seven.
Australia used four spinners after the two opening quick bowlers, and the two players best equipped to handle the spin - the elegant Amla and the forceful Ryan Bailey - were both needlessly run out.
The seventh wicket fell in the 34th over, but the compact Zwelibanzi Howmani shared three good partnerships with his bowlers which gave the score some respectability. Howmani reached his half-century in the last over off 74 balls.
Player of the match Aaron Bird, who took four wickets, and parsimonious left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty took six wickets between them.
Australia approached the chase professionally, the three lefthanders at the top of the order all batting well and figuring in healthy partnerships. After 25 of the 50 overs, Australia were 109 for one and it did it in a canter with Burke fittingly hitting the winning shot and getting his 100.
"Our guys played tremendously well throughout the tournament and with lead-up games and tournament games have played 13 one-dayers and won them all against varied opposition," coach Wayne Phillips said.
"We've enjoyed our time here and New Zealand Cricket and everyone involved have done a great job of the organisation. And I would have said that even if we had finished second today.
- NZPA
