Australia flexed their muscles in the Under-19 World Cup Group A, demolishing Japan by 8 wickets behind Will Malazuk’s trailblazing 51-ball hundred, now the tournament’s quickest on record.
Japan, batting first post-toss win, managed 201/8 over 50 overs. Hugo Tawi Kelly top-scored with 79* (135 balls), backed by Nihar Parman (33), Montgomery Hara Hinje (29), Charlie Hara-Hinje (24), and 30 extras. Naden Kore’s 3/31 spearheaded Australia’s bowling, with Will Byrom grabbing 2, and Aryan Sharma plus Kase Barton one each.
The pursuit of 202 was electric. Openers Malazuk and Nitesh Samuel piled on 135 in 15.3 overs. Malazuk’s 102 off 55 (12×4, 5×6) toppled Qasim Akram’s 63-ball ton from 2022. He fell just after, but Nitesh (60* off 73) and Tom Hogan (19* off 27) finished the job, with Steven Hogan’s 15 (20 balls). At 204/2 in 29.1 overs, the win was emphatic.
This rout, ending with ample overs left, cements Australia’s status as powerhouses. Malazuk’s Player of the Match award celebrates a knock that blended power and precision.
Japan must lick wounds from this mismatch, but Australia’s statement is clear: they’re here to dominate.