Bangers beat Aussies ?? Believe it

[Donny]

Three run outs sink Aussies

From correspondents in Bangladesh


LEFT-arm spinner Enamul Haque Junior struck twice in the final over to give minnows Bangladesh a surprise eight-run win over Australia in the Under 19 Cricket World Cup Plate Championship final today.

Haque Jnr claimed 5-31 as Australia lost 5-16 to just fall short in the consolation final held before tomorrow's championship decider between West Indies and Pakistan.

In reply to Bangladesh's 9-257, Australia looked set to for victory at 5-233, thanks to a 125-run sixth wicket stand between Ahilen Beadle (54) and Stephen O'Keefe (65).

But three run outs in four balls and man of the match Haque Jnr's spin ensured Australia were bowled out for 249 – just eight runs short and with three balls to spare.

Bangladesh cruised to 9-257 thanks to a first wicket stand of 124 between Nafees Iqbal (59) and Naeem Islam (66) at Fatullah Stadium.

Best with the ball for Australia was Moises Henriques (2-47).

The trophy was the tournament's consolation prize, but that did not matter to more than 15,000 Bangladeshi fans who attended.

The Plate Championship was played by eight teams who failed to move to the tournament's Super League stage.

Bangladesh coach Richard McInnes was pleased with the victory but warned that his side still needs to improve.

"Once we realised we weren't going to make it to the Super League we wanted to make sure we won the Plate Championship," said McInnes.

"To be honest I thought we should have scored more runs than we did but 2-180 was a new situation for us and we will learn from it for the future."

Australia coach Bennett King praised the home side.

"Congratulations to Bangladesh, they played well. It was a high pressure situation and it could have gone either way and on this occasion we lost the match," said King.

"We have several promising players but they've still got a lot to learn."