Will power as Aussie teens sink Sri Lanka in World Cup

Where there's a Will, there's a way to glory for Australia's young cricketers, it appears.

After Will Malajczuk's glorious record-breaking hundred last time out in their Under-19 World Cup defence, it was paceman Will Byrom's turn to steal the show in Namibia as the champions demolished Sri Lanka by nine wickets to continue their impressive unbeaten march.

Byron, a 17-year-old New South Wales prospect, was too quick and too hostile for the Sri Lankan batters at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Friday, as he ripped through their defences, taking 5-14 as they crumbled to their World Cup all-time low of 58 all out.

In reply, Australia breezed to 1-61 off just 12 of their 50 overs to complete their perfect 3-0 record in the group stages and move assuredly into the Super Six stage, still looking good to emulate their 2024 predecessors who lifted the trophy in South Africa.

Captain Ollie Peake, who'd been part of that victorious team, enthused about how his side's pace battery demolished the previously unbeaten Sri Lankans after he'd won the toss and put them in on a lively, seaming track.

"They were first-class today. Probably the most impressive thing for me was the communication between all the bowlers and putting in place the plans that we had set. I was very impressed," said Peake.

"Will's five-fer was no surprise for me. He gets me out for fun in the nets. I certainly know what he can do, and it was great for him to show the world."    

Byrom's fiery partner Charles Lachmund really got the ball rolling when his raw pace accounted for the Sri Lanka's two openers Dimantha Mahavithana and Viran Chamuditha, both centurions earlier in the tournament, in the space of four balls in his second over.

In the next, Byrom joined the fun, taking the edge of Dulnith Sigera's bat to make it three wickets in six balls for the Aussies.

The quicks never let up, Lachmund ending with 2-19 off his five, with Kasey Barton also chipping in with a couple (2-13 off four overs) and Hayden Schiller the other (1-11 off three) as Sri Lanka capitulated.

Byrom, fittingly, finished the job in his seventh over, getting last man Dimantha Mahavithana caught at point in just the 19th over before soaking up the congratulations.

"To see Byrom get a five-fer is just unreal," said the impressive Lachmund. "We have a heavy pace attack and knew Sri Lanka would be used to spin, so it was good to see everyone gel together and get a few wickets."

Sri Lanka clung on to some hope when Rasith Nimsara produced a searing inswinger fifth ball to clean bowl Malajczuk in the first over of the Aussie reply.

Malajczuk had been the star of the previous match against Japan, when he hit a matchwinning 51-ball century, the quickest in the tournament's history. This time, he hit just one scorching boundary before Rasith sent him on his way with a not so cheery send-off that didn't impress the young Aussie. 

But there was no sense of alarm as the ever-steady Nitesh Samuel (19no off 40 balls) and Steven Hogan (28no off 27), who'd scored a century in the opening match against Ireland guided Australia home.

Australia's U19 World Cup fixtures

Jan 16: Australia beat Ireland by 8 wickets

Jan 20: Australia beat Japan by 8 wickets

Jan 23: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 9 wickets

Super Sixes: January 25-February 1

Feb 3: First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Feb 4: Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare

Feb 6: Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare

Australia squad: Oliver Peake (c, VIC), Kasey Barton (NSW), William Byrom (NSW), Naden Cooray (NSW), Jayden Draper (QLD), Steven Hogan (QLD), Thomas Hogan (ACT), Ben Gordon (QLD), John James (NSW), Charles Lachmund (QLD), Alex Lee-Young (NSW), Will Malajczuk (WA), Nitesh Samuel (NSW), Hayden Schiller (SA), Aryan Sharma (VIC)

All matches start 6:30pm AEDT, and broadcast exclusively live on Prime Video