Australian Under-19 side chase key rivalry scalps of England and India

The cricket tragic young Aussies want another crack at India.

Australia’s under-19s continue their World Cup campaign with England in Tuesday’s night’s semi-final, but there’s an appetite for more.

The winner of the junior Ashes will likely take on tournament heavyweight India, which meets Afghanistan in the other semi and dismantled the Aussies on home soil late last year.

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There was no love lost between the two sides in that series and Australia is eager for a chance to rectify the result.

Australian coach Tim Nielsen says his team needs no reminding of the stakes against England and potentially India.

“They watch more cricket, talk about more cricket and Instagram more cricket and whatever else they do more than any of us do, I can promise you,” Nielsen said.

“They sit around the team room, hook up the computer to the big screen and there’s games you would never believe they’re watching – they’re tragic, no doubt about that.

“It’s kind of lovely, so they’re very aware of the Australia and England rivalry and no doubt about the Indian one is something they’re aware of and want another crack at I reckon.

“India were a bit good for us in September, October when we were coming out of our winter, but we would really love another opportunity to test ourselves against them.

“It would be great if they could get over the line against Afghanistan and we could do the same – it would be a great chance to have a game against them in a game that actually counts for a fair bit.”

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Australia is unbeaten in the tournament, having defeated Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies.

The Aussies – led by captain and star bat Ollie Peake – have blitzed teams with the ball before making light work of totals with the bat.

Charles Lachmund (equal second for competition wickets, 12) and Will Byrom have been the enforcers with the new ball, while Will Malajczuk and Nitesh Samuel have been perfect foils for each other opening the batting.

Samuel is leading Australia’s run tally with 228, but Malajczuk crunched an unforgettable ton off just 51 balls against Japan – a World Cup record.

Alex Lee Young and Jayden Draper have not been needed as heavily with the bat but are both extremely talented.

Draper, from Queensland, struck a 65-ball century against India in that memorable series last year.

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