Australia upped their performance on a crucial day to overcome impressive South Africa in the 1st U19 world cup semi final.

The two cricket heavyweight nations Australia and South Africa entered into the ring today to decide the one, who is going to reach the final of U19 world cup. With their impressive run of form in the tournament so far, South Africa looked as stronger unit in otherwise even contest on the day. Although host Australia were also unbeaten so far, but those wins came after sweat and struggle not as swift as South Africa got.

Sloppy South Africa ensured Coetzee valiant effort is in vain.

Bosisto won the crucial toss and obliviously opted to bowl first. Under a cloudy sky, South African U19 batsmen were put to stern test. Unlike previous matches, South Africa U19 were off to a poor start. They lost 3 wickets for not even 50 runs on the board within first 15 overs. Steketee first had Kock caught at fine leg in 2nd over and then in very next over, Paris dismissed Cloete, who chased the away swinging delivery. Kock after scoring 95 and 126 in the first two matches of the tournament, failed miserably in next three matches. Bruyn who scored a fifty in last match, offered some resistance initially but he too fell chasing away swinging delivery for just 16 runs, leaving South Africa U19 reeling at 37/3 in 14.3 overs.

The battle with ball in current U19 world cup is so much so is all about first 15 overs. Though South Africa fared poorly in that period, in-form Bowes and Coetzee rescued their team from downfall and slowly put them back on a track. The number 46 seems like Bowes demon as he yet again dismissed for same score for three matches in a row now. Bowes was caught behind excellently by Keeper off Steketee to end fighting 88 runs partnership. Coetzee scored a well deserved fifty but soon after got run out losing his bat from hand just before reaching the crease. Thanks to tail wag, which accounted for 57 runs, South Africa reached a respectable total of 191 in the end with number 10 Subrayen scoring an unbeaten 30.

Though finally got dismissed, Bosisto is in fine act yet again as Australia makes another successfully chase.

Australia U19 wobbled again initially in the chase with Peirson caught behind for golden duck in 2nd ball of the innings by Williams and No.3 Buchanan lost his stumps to Dry in the second over. Then began the second fighting partnership of the day, absorbing all the pressure and consolidating at the crease. With Patterson the aggressor and Bancroft the anchor, Australia U19 marched along slowly towards 100 runs mark but Williams came back to dismiss Patterson for 49 runs and broke the 96 runs partnership. Patterson stood surprised at the decision of caught behind but he had no choice then to walk back. Australia were at 98/3 from 26.5 overs with less than 100 runs needed to win.

In walks the Australian captain and their savior of the tournament, Bosisto who needs no introduction to these situation after his three match winning unbeaten knocks in earlier matches. Bancroft scored a hard earned fifty along the way in partnership with Bosisto adding 75 more runs to the total. Bancroft resistance finally came to an end via a superb throw from deep by Cloete. Bancroft ran out for 66 off 133 balls, top score of the match actually. Travis Head fell to Williams in the same over but presence of Bosisto made the difference.

With just 4 needed to win, in an unfortunate way, Bosisto run of unbeaten innings came to an end. Moore throw caught Bosisto short of crease and astonishingly this is third run out of the innings, and fourth of the match actually. Turner ensured no further dramas as he hit a four to seal the match for Australia U19.

South Africa U19 had themselves to blame for loss but Australia U19 being the host nation, will fancy their chances to win the world cup second time in a row now. The winner of India U19 vs New Zealand U19 on August 23rd will play Australia U19 in the world cup final on August 26th.

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