Five wins each, pride at stake: Australia v England

DEFENDING champions Australia have been flawless, while their opponents England have been perfect, with both teams winning five matches at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. They meet today in the semi-final at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The two cricketing nations will rekindle their rivalry, with the teenagers carrying their countries’ pride as they battle to book a place in the final.

Zimbabwe has been co-hosting the tournament with Namibia, and there are now three matches left to play. Tomorrow, it will be an Asian semi-final at Harare Sports Club in the capital, where India meet tournament bogey team Afghanistan, who have proved they are no pushovers. The final will be played on Friday at Harare Sports Club.

Australia have been dominant from the group stage, brushing past West Indies and South Africa to top their Super Six group. The manner in which Australia beat South Africa stood out, skittling them out for a paltry 118 runs before chasing down the score to win by six wickets. It was only the West Indies who caused Australia some trouble, defending 324 runs to win by 22 runs, with captain Oliver Peake top-scoring with 109.