Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup produced yet another exciting contest at the ICC Academy on Friday in the third-place play-off between England and Australia.
England, riding on Ben Duckett’s century, recorded a nail-biting one-wicket win with two balls to spare.
Chasing Australia’s total of 246 for 7, England had lost six wickets for 150 runs but still pulled of a victory with the last-wicket pair of Mark Fisher (20n.o) and Josh Shaw (12n.o) putting on an unbeaten 34 runs partnership in 3.3 overs.
It was a disappointing end for runners-up last time out Australia, who won the toss and elected to bat first.
Their openers even provided a good start by putting on 61 in 10.6 overs. Opener Matthew Short scored 41 runs before being caught behind by wicket-keeper Joe Clarke off skipper Will Rhodes.
Australia’s one-down batsman Damien Mortimer lasted three balls before being caught behind off Miles Hammond for 2. Rhodes also dismissed opener Kelvin Smith for 30.
Sean Wills and Alex Gregory steered Australia past the 100-run mark but medium-pacer Ed Barnard trapped Wills leg before for 31 and clean bowled Gregory for 30.
Barnard also took the wicket of James Bazley for a duck.
Six wickets down for just 150, Ben McDermott, the son of former Australia Test star Craig, took up the challenge.
He, along with, Thomas Andrews put on 78 runs for the seventh wicket before the latter was bowled by Shaw for 40. McDermott remained unbeaten on 56 off 58 balls with six boundaries.
England got off to a poor start in reply. Medium-pacer Ben Ashkenazi dismissed opener Jonathan Tattersall for 17 and clean bowled next man Ryan Higgins for a duck. Opener Harry Finch got stumped by McDermott off Thomas Andrews for 15. Three down for 41, Ashkenazi clean bowled Ed Barnard for 5.
Rhodes and Duckett took England to 131 in the 30th over.
After Rhodes fell for 28 and Duckett too followed, England slipped to 209 for 7. Though Australia sensed victory at this stage, the last-wicket pair upset all their plans.
