AUSTRALIA U19 8-253 (50 overs, Harvey 65, Hearne 45, Sully 35*) def England U19 7-252 (50 overs, Sully 2-39) at Diamond Oval, Kimberley
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Australia has scored a dramatic last ball win over England to advance to the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Super League stage.
A 47-run, ninth wicket partnership between bowlers Connor Sully (35 not out from 20 balls) and Todd Murphy (16 not out from 10 balls) saw Australia home by the barest of margins.
Sully and Murphy combined to smash 40 runs from the final three overs. The former began the charge to an unlikely victory by smashing three sixes and a four in the 48th over from England quick Blake Cullen.
A further eight runs came from the penultimate over, before overhauling the total with 10 runs in the final six balls.
The victory ensured Australia will advance to the Super League from Group B alongside the West Indies, after they maintained their undefeated record at this year's tournament by comfortably accounting for Nigeria.
After winning the toss at Diamond Oval in Kimberley, Australia was unable to put the brakes on impressive England opener Ben Charlesworth, whose 82 set his side up for an imposing total.
But three wickets in four overs - two to Sully - saw the brakes applied to England and the match return to level terms at 5-146 in the 35th over, before a late surge saw them reach an imposing 7-252 at the close of their innings.
Strong top order contributions from captain Mackenzie Harvey (65), Lachlan Hearne (45) and Sam Fanning (31) laid a foundation for Australia's run chase, with the score ticking past 150 inside 30 overs.
A collapse of 6-53 allowed England back into the game, before Sully and Murphy combined to deliver Australia the thrilling victory.
Australia's next match will be against the winner of tonight's India v New Zealand match at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, January 28.
2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, South Africa
January 17 – February 9, 2020
Australia fixtures:
- v West Indies, January 18, Diamond Oval, Kimberley. West Indies won by three wickets
- v Nigeria, January 20, Country Club B Field, Kimberley. Australia won by 10 wickets
- v England, January 23, Diamond Oval, Kimberley . Australia won by two wickets
- (Super League) v India or New Zealand, January 28, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
