Clark stars as Aussies secure first U19 WC win

Australia have secured their first win of the inaugural ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup, cruising to a nine-wicket win over the United States of America in Benoni.

Two days after their upset defeat to Bangladesh, Australia bounced back as a strong display in the field headlined by five run outs restricted the USA to 64 all out in 15.3 overs.

Kate Pelle (30no off 26) and Claire Moore (22no off 17) then led Australia to victory inside 8.4 overs, despite the loss of Victorian opener Paris Bowdler for seven.

Debutant Maggie Clark was the pick of the bowlers after a last-minute call-up into the XI, taking 2-14 from four overs including 17 dot balls, while experienced WBBL spinners Ella Hayward (1-4 off 2.3 overs) and Amy Smith (1-8 off three) also made their mark.

Image Id: E6787490EC334C969C59EBD9E743AC9B Image Caption: Australia opener Kate Pelle top-scored with 30 not out // Getty

Needing a win to revive their campaign following their first-up loss and taking on a relatively unknown opponent in the USA, Australia opted to chase and took just 2.5 overs to secure the first breakthrough as Disha Dhingra (6) was run out thanks to a strong throw from Clark in the deep.

The second wicket also came via a run out, with Anika Kolan (0) caught short by Sianna Ginger, before Queensland left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton took a sharp return catch to remove Laasya Mullapudi (10).

Regular wickets continued to fall, and amid the run outs the introduction of South Australian Clark – who at 15 is the youngest member of the Australian squad – to the attack reaped rewards, as she trapped Ritu Singh (0) plumb lbw then bowled Snigdha Paul (17).

"It feels pretty unreal to be honest," Clark said after the match.

"I just went about my business, bowling stump to stump with a couple of variations, kept it simple (but) it gives me heaps of confidence."

Australia captain Rhys McKenna said there had been some "big conversations" after the loss to Bangladesh.

"We went away from the loss to Bangladesh and had big conversations on where we wanted to bowl and bat, and that energy was reflected today in our run outs," McKenna said.

"It's exciting to see a game come together like it did there.

"We only batted under 10 overs but we'll take it. I think there was a lot of improvements in our bowling, so I'm excited to see what the next game brings us."

Hurricanes and Tasmania leg-spinner Smith had Aditi Chudasama (0) chopping on, then Victoria and Renegades off-spinner Hayward bowled Suhani Thadani (3), before the fifth run out ended the USA’s innings on 64.

The only blemish for Australia was the 17 runs delivered via extras, including 11 wides.

Image Id: 7C55376F77994D55B35904AE301AA8FD Image Caption: Lucy Hamilton celebrates a wicket // Getty

Points on the board will boost Australia’s confidence after their defeat to Bangladesh, however other results on Monday means it remains likely they will finish second in Group A.

Bangladesh eked out an important 10-run run win over Sri Lanka, and only a loss to the USA would stop them finishing top of the group, while India remain on top of Group D after romping to a 122-run victory over the UAE.

Three out of four teams in each group advance to the next stage, where they form two groups of six.

A second-placed finish for Australia puts them on a collision course with a strong and in-form India side led by senior stars Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh in the super six stage, where the second-ranked Group A qualifier will play the top-ranked and third-ranked Group D sides.

Each team plays two further matches in the super sixes, with first-round results carrying through.

Only the top two from each super six group advance to the semi-finals, meaning the first-up loss makes Australia’s path more difficult, but by no means impossible, particularly given the strength of the squad which contains a host of WNCL and WBBL capped players.

Australia’s ranks did however take a blow on Monday, as leg-spinner Jade Allen and pace-bowling allrounder Chloe Ainsworth were forced to return home, each having fractured a thumb in the field against Bangladesh, replaced by NSW’s Ananaya Sharma, who was the leading wicket taker at the recent Under-19 National Championships, and South Australia’s Paris Hall.

Australia will play Sri Lanka in their last Group A match on Wednesday.

ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023

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

Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and USA

Group B: England, Pakistan, Rwanda and Zimbabwe

Group C: Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand and West Indies

Group D: India, Scotland, South Africa and the UAE

Australia’s schedule  

View the full schedule here

January 14: Bangladesh defeated Australia by seven wickets

January 16: Australia defeated USA by nine wickets

January 18: v Sri Lanka, Willowmoore Park, Benoni, 10am local (7pm AEDT)

*If Australia qualify:

Super Sixes: January 21-25, Potchefstroom 

Semi-finals: January 27, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 10am & 1.45pm local (7pm & 10.45pm AEDT)

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