In a challenging encounter at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, the Zimbabwe Under 19 cricket team, known as the Young Chevrons, suffered a substantial 225-run defeat at the hands of Australia Under 19 this Thursday.
- Grab your own copy of your latest ZimGospel Masters Magazine.
The Diamond Oval witnessed the Young Chevrons struggling to contain Australia’s innings, as the Aussies posted a formidable total of 296 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
Notable contributions came from Harry Dixon (89) and Hugh Weigben (68), who both secured crucial half-centuries. Sam Konstas (45) and Tom Edward Campbell (47) fell just short of half-centuries, propelling Australia to a score just shy of 300.
In an attempt to curb the aggressive hitting from the Australians, Young Chevrons’ skipper Matthew Schonken, Ryan Simbi, and Brandon Sunguro each claimed two wickets.
Despite their efforts, the Young Chevrons faced an uphill challenge in chasing the mammoth target, a task they couldn’t execute.
The chase took a disastrous turn for the Young Chevrons as they lost wickets early on, with Panashe Taruvinga falling for naught in the second over.
The Australian bowling unit, led by Harkirat Bajwa’s four-wicket haul, ran riot through the Young Chevrons’ lineup, wrapping up the tail for a mere 71 runs in 23.2 overs.
Apart from Ronak Patel (36) and Brandon Sunguro (12), none of the other Zimbabwean batsmen reached double figures, with only Nathaniel Hlabangana and Matthew Schonken managing to contribute to the total.
- Don’t forget to like and follow our Facebook page and our YouTube Channel to get to know of our content.
Having previously lost their opening match to Sri Lanka, the Young Chevrons now face a crucial final group match against regional rivals Namibia on Saturday.
A victory in this match is imperative for the Young Chevrons to advance to the Super Six stage, as only the top three teams from each group progress, while the fourth-placed teams enter a 16th-place playoff.
The tournament, featuring a total of 16 teams divided into four groups, continues to be a fierce battleground for aspiring young cricketers.
