South Africa beat Australia to reach U-19 WC final

DUBAI: Kagiso Rabada’s pace, with speeds touching 90mph, powered South Africa Under-19s to their first World Cup final since 2008, beating Australia Under-19s comprehensively by 80 runs in Dubai.

Rabada had earlier jolted West Indies at the same ground nearly two weeks ago, but his six-wicket haul in the semi-final was the standout bowling performance till date in the tournament. A target of 231 was always going to test Australia but Rabada's spell didn't give them an inch.

It was an innings of two halves for South Africa Under-19s. A century opening stand between captain Aiden Markram and Clyde Fortuin put them on the path to a score of 250 and above, but Australia's spinners did well to pull them back and restrict them to a par score of 230 in the second semi-final.

Late hitting by Yaseen Valli took South Africa to a very defendable score on this ground and it meant that Australia would have to match the highest successful chase in the tournament to enter the final.

For a change, wickets didn't fall in a clump at the start of the innings, as had been the case with teams batting first in Dubai. Aiden Markram and Fortuin produced the best start of the tournament at the venue batting first, nullifying Australia's pace attack by batting positively.

There was hardly any deviation to cause trouble and the batsmen were able to hit through the line with ease. Batting sides had struggled to do the same earlier. Australia weren't very disciplined with the ball either, conceding eight wides and a no-ball in the first 15 overs, during which South Africa had reached a healthy 66 for 0.

Spin was introduced as early as the ninth over, as the seamers were ineffective in providing a breakthrough. Fortuin was strong against anything short and looked at ease against the left-arm spinner Thomas Andrews, pulling and sweeping. After passing fifty, he clipped the seamer Guy Walker over mid-on before pulling him to fine leg.