Aussie quicks key against England in semi showdown

Australia’s exciting young pace battery will look to get the better of England’s in-form top order when the sides meet for a place in the inaugural women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final on Friday.

The Aussies will face their toughest test of the tournament yet when they take on an undefeated England in the second semi-final in Potchefstroom, after finishing second in their Super Six group on net-run-rate behind India.

The match will kick off at 10.45pm AEDT on Friday and will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo.

Australia’s bowling attack can take confidence into the game knowing they have already gotten the better of tournament favourites India, bowling out a batting line-up that features Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh for 87 last Saturday.

But new-ball quicks Maggie Clark and Milly Illingworth will again be tested when they came up against aggressive England openers Grace Scrivens and Liberty Heap.

England skipper Scrivens, who has featured in The Hundred for London Spirit, is the tournament’s leading scorer with 269 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 138, while Heap is sitting fifth overall with 148 at a strike rate of 153.

South Australian Clark was not in Australia’s XI at the start of the tournament but since her arrival for their second match against the USA, the 15-year-old has been a revelation, picking up nine wickets at 6.66 and with an economy rate of 4.28.

She was key in defeating India alongside Victorian express quick Illingworth, who are part of a strong Australian pace attack that also features Rhys McKenna, Sianna Ginger and Lucy Hamilton, and with experience in the spin department thanks to WBBL regulars Amy Smith and Ella Hayward.

"Maggie is only 15 years old so there's not a lot of fear," Australia coach Erin Osborne told cricket.com.au.

"Her biggest strength is that she can swing the ball both ways, which is incredible at such a young age and then you throw in some good slower ball variations, which have made her really effective for us and particularly picking up consistent wickets.

"Milly is the quickest (bowler at the World Cup), at 17 years old she's been clocked at 114, 115 which is scary.

"She has a unique action where she's a little bit slingy, and at that pace is still able to get swing.

"The really pleasing thing against the UAE in the last match was not only was she beating them with pace, but she was beating them with swing as well.

"For us it's just keeping up our plans really simple … our bowling group have gotten better as the tournament have gone on, particularly being more disciplined and just attacking the stumps a little bit more often."

Meanwhile Scrivens has declared England will go into the knockout match with a fearless mindset as they set their sights on becoming the first women’s Under-19 world champions.

Taking on Australia will add extra incentive, she said, given the traditionally fierce rivalry between the nations.

"There's a fearlessness in the group at the minute, we're not fearing getting out or getting hit - it's just about having a positive mindset," Scrivens told Sky Sports.

"We trust each other, if one of the top three gets out then we know that the middle order can pick up the pieces and take us on to a good score, and that's allowed us to play with a real sense of freedom.

"Obviously the girls have executed it really well, which is so nice to see."

New Zealand and India will meet in Friday’s other semi-final, from 7pm AEDT, with the final to be played on Sunday.

ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023

Australia squad: Rhys McKenna (c),Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Paris Hall, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Eleanor Larosa, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Ananaya Sharma, Amy Smith, Ella Wilson. 

Australia’s schedule  

View the full schedule and standings here

January 14: Bangladesh beat Australia by seven wickets

January 16: Australia beat USA by nine wickets

January 18: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 108 runs

Super Six stage

January 21: Australia beat India by seven wickets 

January 23:Australia beat UAE by six wickets 

Final: January 29, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 1.45pm local (10.45pm AEDT)