AUSSIES BEAAUSTRALIA continued to enjoy the edge over England at the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Two years after Lloyd Pope’s astonishing 8 for 35 in Queenstown bowled Australia into the semi-final, Mackenzie Harvey struck a vital half-century in a chase of 253 to win a thriller by two wickets.

This meant Australia and West Indies, the table toppers, are through to the quarter-finals from Group B.

Ben Charlesworth top-scored with 82 for England, but found little support from the other batsmen. England were handily placed at 141 for 2 going into the last 20 overs, but managed to add just 112 more.

That they eventually scraped past the 250-mark was due to Dan Mousely’s unbeaten 51.

In reply, Australia stuttered too, after Harvey’s dismissal for 65. From 153 for 2, they were reduced to 163 for 5 in 33 overs.

The asking rate had touched six an over, with left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy picking up vital wickets in the middle.

Tanvir Sangha, the leg-spinner, chipped in with 21 to eat into the target, before Connor Sully and Todd Murphy’s unbeaten 47-run stand for the ninth wicket carried Australia home. (ESPN Cricinfo)