The Australians steamrolled debutants Nigeria by 10 wicket.
Following their three-wicket loss to the West Indies on Saturday in their first match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, the Australian Under-19 team were taking no chances in their second match of the tournament yesterday.
The Australians steamrolled debutants Nigeria by 10 wickets in their match played at the Country Club B field, and finally got some points on the competition log.
The team from Africa seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and could only scrape together a total of 61 in 31.3 of their 50 overs before they were all back in the hut.
Only opener Elijah Olaleye managed to get into double figures with his 21 off 53 deliveries (2x4s). Australia’s Tanveer Sangha (5/14) ripped through the Nigerian batting seemingly at will, and he was well supported by Bradley Simpson who took 3/11.
It seemed obvious that Nigeria were treating the Aussies with respect. They batted cautiously for a major part of their stay at the crease and made not a single attempt at adventurous strokes against their more experienced opponents.
The result of this match-up was never in doubt. The Aussie openers Sam Fanning (30) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (23) knocked off the required runs in just seven overs.
The Nigerian captain Sylvester Okpe said afterwards: “Australia are batting and bowling very well. We weren’t ourselves, not from the nerves so much, the guys did not apply themselves. They weren’t comfortable with the environment,” he said.
Australia play England next at the Diamond Oval on Thursday at 10am, while the Nigerians will have to pick themselves up as they face the West Indies at Country Club B fields at the same time.
