After 18 overs: India 105/0 (Manjot 49, Shaw 51)
Pope to Shaw. Drops short and Shaw punches it through to off-side to get a single, and that's his fifty . Manjot sweeps next for a four. Could have been wide but Manjot follows this, falls down and gets a boundary. The left hander takes a single off the next ball and the 100-run partnership comes up. Great start by India. Single by Prithvi on next ball. They are playing spin with east. Manjot heaves next over the on-side for another four. Imperious stuff. He is on 49.
FOUR! There's no stopping Manjot here. He heaves this over cow corner for another four. Brilliant.
FOUR! Manjot gets into the act. Sweeps this fine for a boundary.
FIFTY! Shaw gets his half-century! What a player. What a start. Gets there with an innocuous single off Pope.
After 17 overs, India 94/0 (Prithvi Shaw 49, Manjot Kalra 40)
Couple of singles in first four balls. Prithvi has moved to 49. Manjot tees off on the next ball. Lofts Edwards over long-ff for a neat boundary. Drinks here.
FOUR! Manjot lofts Edwards over long-off for a sublime boundary.
After 16 overs, India 88/0 (Prithvi Shaw 48, Manjot Kalra 35)
Shaw starts the over with a boundary. He turns the strike over with a single to cover. Pope tosses it up and ends up as a juicy half-volley for Kalra to drive it through covers for a couple. Kalra to retain strike with a single to mid-wicket off the sixth ball.
FOUR! Shaw picks the wrong'un early, plays with the spin as he guides it off his legs to fine leg boundary.
After 15 overs India 80/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 43, Manjot Kalra 32)
Edwards continues. Shaw pulls this bouncer from outside-off for a single. No run on the next. Shaw moves towards the off-stump on the fourth ball and turns this shortish one to mid-wicket for a couple. Edwards follows up with a wide. Shaw gets a single on the last ball.
After 14 overs India 74/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 39, Manjot Kalra 31)
Lloyd Pope, the leg-spinner is introduced. First ball is flat and short and Shaw pulls it for a couple to backward square leg. Single on the third ball and Pope appeals for LBW to Manjot, who drives rge next ball firmly to the bowler. They have gone upstairs for the run-out at non-striker's end. Shaw is safe though and Manjot plays out the next ball. All good here.
After 13 overs Ind 55/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 36, Manjot Kalra 31)
Edwards continues. He bangs the first ball in and Shaw goes for the pull, the ball was climbing on the diminutive Prithvi, who was not in complete control when he played the shot. Shaw top-edged it but it landed in no man's land, not the first time he has had the rub of green. Kalra rotate the strike off with a single to third man. Three runs come off the 13th over.
After 12 overs, India 68/0 (Prthivi Shaw 34, Manjot Kalra 30)
Sutherland to Manjot, and the left hander brings out a flowing off-drive on the fisrt ball, Beats everyone to the fence. Good boundary. He defends the next nicely and takes a single on the third ball. Good cricket this. Shaw is beaten outside off here. This kept slightly low. Defends the next to cover for no run. Takes a single on the last ball.
After 11 overs: India 62/0 (Manjot 25, Shaw 33)
Edwards continues. First ball is cut to point for no run. An interesting ball this. The second ball is a slow beamer. It's a free-hit. Edwards balls another high full toss and Shaw clubs it for a four. Could have been another no ball. Shaw punches next ball to point, where the fielder dives to save a certain boundary. He is in command here, Shaw. Takes a single to mid-off and gets Manjot on strike on the fifth ball who takes another single. Shaw plays the next ball safely. Seven from the over.
FOUR! Shaw clubs this free-hit over cow-corner. Could have been another no-ball this.
Snehal Pradhan, ex-India cricketer in Tauranga
India bringing up their 50 in the 10th over in 58 balls, and are motoring along at a good speed. The wicket has presented no demons, neither has the Australian fast bowling surprisingly. Sutherland's first ball dismissal of Shaw off a no ball was the only anomaly in a dominant 45 min. Early call, but I think India's fast bowlers are going to outdo their Aussie counterparts.
After 10 overs Ind 55/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 28, Manjot Kalra 24)
Shaw dabs it towards point and slightly slow off the blocks, an agile Austin Waugh collects it and unleashes the throw at the non-striker's end and if he had hit the stumps that would been curtains for the Indian skipper. Shaw was running right at the center of the wicket, ended up jumping over the stumps. Shaw living slightly dangerously. Kalra too getting into thick of the things with couple of beautiful shots for boundaries.
FOUR! Another glorious shot through cover-point off the backfoot by Kalra. He seems to be enjoying it.
FOUR! A touch over-pitched and Manjot makes full use of it. Goes up and over! One bounce over the cover boundary.
After 9 overs Ind 39/0 (Manjot Kalra 16, Prithvi Shaw 27)
All-rounder Jack Edwards comes on. First ball is identical to Sutherland's first ball: good length and outside off, but Prithvi lets it go this time. Good channels here. Edwards bowls five dot balls and Shaw punches the last ball to point for a single. Just a single, but Shaw looks in control.
After 8 overs Ind 38/0 (Manjot Kalra 16, Prithvi Shaw 26)
Will Sutherland, the right-arm medium pacer comes as first change, and gets Shaw on the first ball off a no-ball. His line goes a bit awry after that no-ball. Delivers a wide down Manjot's leg-stump. The left-hander creams the last ball for four to end the over.
LET OFF! Will Sutherland lands one on perfect length a tentative poke from Shaw has him caught behind, or is it? Oh no, that's a no-ball . What a shame! That's a clear no-ball. Shaw gets a life.
After 7 overs Ind 38/0 (Manjot Kalra12, Prithvi Shaw 25)
11 from this over, including a six from Shaw. Bartlett just going off his length here and Shaw is all class.
SIX!: Shaw lofts Bartlett's third ball over long-on. All timing and still head. Wonderful.
After 6 overs, IND 27/0 (Prithvi Shaw 14, Manjot Kalra 12)
Ralston to start another over, beats Manjot outside off first ball. Manjot's lack of foot movement could be dangerous here. He defends next two balls and gets a couple on the fourth. That's all he gets from this over.
After 5 overs, IND 25/0 (Prithvi Shaw 14, Manjot Kalra 10)
Shaw getting into the groove with some fine punches.First ball is played off the backfoot crisply. The second ball is clipped for 3. Shaw creams the fifth ball for four and ends the over with a clip to mid-on for no runs.
He is making his name rather quickly, young Prithvi!
Prithvi Shaw is some talent! Times the ball well and has the potential to play a big kock! #U19CWC
FOUR! Early to say but this could be the shot of the innings by Shaw. Brilliant drive through the covers.
After 4 overs, IND 17/0 (Prithvi Shaw 7, Manjot Kalra 9)
Ralston to continue. Pitched up, full and wide. Manjot jams his bat down. He is sticking to balling within the stumps. Defended well by Manjot. Third ball is clipped of his toes by Manjot for a four. Ralston resumes to bowling wide of off stump. Very little feet movement by Manjot. Last ball is defended solidly off the backfoot by the left-hander.
FOUR! Manjot clips this off his toes to get another four.
After 3 overs, IND 13/0 (Prithvi Shaw 7, Manjot Kalra 5)
After playing out the first over quietly, Shaw gets off the mark with a punch off the backfoot through the offside for a single. Kalra to gets to the other end with another single. Shaw completes the a purposeful over with a confident straight drive to collect a brace off the final ball.
FOUR! Cracking shot! Prithvi goes back in the crease and crunches it through the covers with a horizontal bat for his first boundary.
After 2 overs, IND 4/0 (Prithvi Shaw 0, Manjot Kalra 4)
Jason Ralston starts the second over with a boundary. Pitches full and Manjot drills it past the bowler. Lands everything else back of length. Manjot defends well. Sourav Ganguly says he reminds him of a young Shikhar Dhawan.
FOUR! Manjot drills a straight drive to open India's account.
After 1 over, IND 0/0 (Prithvi Shaw 0, Manjot Kalra 0)
Xavier Bartlett with the first over; right-arm medium fast. First ball defended solidly by Shaw. First three balls in good channels and all timed well by Shaw. Fourth ball did come back in a shade; a bit of an inside edge. Goes a touch fuller on the fifth ball, driven straight. Shaw plays the last ball off backfoot. It's a maiden to start.
Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra walk out to bat. Its a right-left combination. Shaw to take first strike.
India have quite a few players with first-class experience in their ranks. Here's what skipper Prithvi Shaw has to say about it, "Its a good advantage. Everyone knows their roles; I don't have to talk much. Great experience for me as well."
Australia's XI: Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Jason Sangha, Jonathan Merlo, Param Uppal, Baxter J Holt, Austin Waugh, Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Jason Ralston, Lloyd Pope
Colts from both sides walk out for the preliminary national anthems.
Team News : India have picked in form and uncapped Aryan Juyal as first choice wicketkeeper, and what an opponent to debut against. With Australia having no left hand batters in their squad, India have picked three left arm spinners, with Shiva Singh coming in along with regulars Abhishek Sharma and Anukul Roy. Those will complement the three fast bowlers.
Snehal Pradhan, ex-India cricketer in Tauranga
Welcome to Firstpost's Live coverage from Tauranga, New Zealand. It's a beautiful venue, with the sun shining brightly. There was a bit of rain yesterday, but no signs of any this morning, and that's probably why Prithvi Shaw has chosen to bat first after winning the toss. India will have a chance to put runs on the board and bowl in the cooler evening.
However, it's worth noting that despite it being a day night game, there is bright sunshine till 8 PM here, so the usual day night match effect, where the team bowling under lights gets the new ball to move more, may not be seen.
So India have won the all important toss in the opener and Prithvi Shaw has decided to bat first. Fasten your seatbelts folks!
Here's a lowdown on Australia's Austin Waugh. He does have more than a famous surname!
▶️ Austin Waugh on growing up as the son of an Australian great (including the time he scored 300 against him batting for three consecutive days) 😆 #U19CWC#FutureStars 🌟 pic.twitter.com/UXH34FSXGZ
Early morning here in India as we cover the new dawn of world cricket. Bringing you all the live updates and coverage from what promises to be an exciting opener between India and Australia. Two heavyweights pitted once against the other.
Some really good-looking photographs, looks a bright day for cricket
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India's opening match in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2018. India, led by Prithvi Shaw, will take on Jason Sangha's Australia. A lot of hopes have been pinned on the Indian team. They were defeated in the final of the previous and lost out on the trophy. Under Rahul Dravid's guidance, this team will be looking to take the next step. For that though, a good start is really necessary. Can India beat Australia or will the Aussies overpower Indians in familiar conditions? Follow our blog for all the updates.
ICC U-19 World Cup, India vs Australia, latest update: Shaw starts the over with a boundary. He turns the strike over with a single to cover. Pope tosses it up and ends up as a juicy half-volley for Kalra to drive it through covers for a couple. Kalra to retain strike with a single to mid-wicket off the sixth ball.
Preview: An unanticipated consequence of Australia’s decision not to send a team to the 2016 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh is that, without placing at that tournament, they were at the mercy of fate when it came to who they would share a group with.
From a neutral’s point of view, it could hardly have turned out better, with India v Australia set to be one of the clashes of the entire group stages. They are the two most successful teams in U19 CWC history, having each won the tournament three times apiece, and both have brought sides stacked full of top-class players, many of whom have already had success against high-class opposition. We may well look back on this fixture, and the names of those who took part, and be amazed at how many have gone on to have significant careers. Don’t miss it.
India captain Prithvi Shaw and Australia captain Jason Sangha.
Form guide
For both teams, it’s a case of which one decides to show up. Both have veered between excellent and poor in the last 12 months, with little middle ground. India stormed through two five-match series against England, losing just once and winning eight, with one tie. But the Under 19 Asia Cup was a huge disappointment, as the lost to Nepal and Bangladesh and crashed out at the group stages. Australia similarly had a 4-1 series victory set against a 2-0 reverse against Pakistan.
Both teams had notable absentees when they struggled – the likes of Jason Sangha for Australia, and Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill for India – but they will still both be desperate to put those memories behind them with a strong opening performance.
Head to head
Australia and India have clashed 33 times at this level, with the ledger currently reading 19-14 in favour of the latter. In World Cups however, the teams are tied at two wins apiece. Their most recent World Cup clash came in 2012, when, thanks to an Unmukt Chand century, India triumphed in the final.
Forecast
There is a chance of showers throughout the day, although rain is by no means a certainty. Frustratingly, since play is set to start at 2pm (local time), the rain is most likely to stay away during the morning.
Squads
Australia: Jason Sangha (C), Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Lloyd Pope, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh
HIGHLIGHTS
FIFTY! Shaw gets his half-century! What a player. What a start. Gets there with an innocuous single off Pope.
LET OFF! Will Sutherland lands one on perfect length a tentative poke from Shaw has him caught behind, or is it? Oh no, that's a no-ball. What a shame! That's a clear no-ball. Shaw gets a life.
So India have won the all important toss in the opener and Prithvi Shaw has decided to bat first. Fasten your seatbelts folks!
After 18 overs: India 105/0 (Manjot 49, Shaw 51) Pope to Shaw. Drops short and Shaw punches it through to off-side to get a single, and that's his fifty . Manjot sweeps next for a four. Could have been wide but Manjot follows this, falls down and gets a boundary. The left hander takes a single off the next ball and the 100-run partnership comes up. Great start by India. Single by Prithvi on next ball. They are playing spin with east. Manjot heaves next over the on-side for another four. Imperious stuff. He is on 49.
FOUR! There's no stopping Manjot here. He heaves this over cow corner for another four. Brilliant.
FOUR! Manjot gets into the act. Sweeps this fine for a boundary.
FIFTY! Shaw gets his half-century! What a player. What a start. Gets there with an innocuous single off Pope.
After 17 overs, India 94/0 (Prithvi Shaw 49, Manjot Kalra 40) Couple of singles in first four balls. Prithvi has moved to 49. Manjot tees off on the next ball. Lofts Edwards over long-ff for a neat boundary. Drinks here.
FOUR! Manjot lofts Edwards over long-off for a sublime boundary.
After 16 overs, India 88/0 (Prithvi Shaw 48, Manjot Kalra 35) Shaw starts the over with a boundary. He turns the strike over with a single to cover. Pope tosses it up and ends up as a juicy half-volley for Kalra to drive it through covers for a couple. Kalra to retain strike with a single to mid-wicket off the sixth ball.
FOUR! Shaw picks the wrong'un early, plays with the spin as he guides it off his legs to fine leg boundary.
After 15 overs India 80/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 43, Manjot Kalra 32) Edwards continues. Shaw pulls this bouncer from outside-off for a single. No run on the next. Shaw moves towards the off-stump on the fourth ball and turns this shortish one to mid-wicket for a couple. Edwards follows up with a wide. Shaw gets a single on the last ball.
After 14 overs India 74/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 39, Manjot Kalra 31) Lloyd Pope, the leg-spinner is introduced. First ball is flat and short and Shaw pulls it for a couple to backward square leg. Single on the third ball and Pope appeals for LBW to Manjot, who drives rge next ball firmly to the bowler. They have gone upstairs for the run-out at non-striker's end. Shaw is safe though and Manjot plays out the next ball. All good here.
After 13 overs Ind 55/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 36, Manjot Kalra 31) Edwards continues. He bangs the first ball in and Shaw goes for the pull, the ball was climbing on the diminutive Prithvi, who was not in complete control when he played the shot. Shaw top-edged it but it landed in no man's land, not the first time he has had the rub of green. Kalra rotate the strike off with a single to third man. Three runs come off the 13th over.
After 12 overs, India 68/0 (Prthivi Shaw 34, Manjot Kalra 30) Sutherland to Manjot, and the left hander brings out a flowing off-drive on the fisrt ball, Beats everyone to the fence. Good boundary. He defends the next nicely and takes a single on the third ball. Good cricket this. Shaw is beaten outside off here. This kept slightly low. Defends the next to cover for no run. Takes a single on the last ball.
After 11 overs: India 62/0 (Manjot 25, Shaw 33) Edwards continues. First ball is cut to point for no run. An interesting ball this. The second ball is a slow beamer. It's a free-hit. Edwards balls another high full toss and Shaw clubs it for a four. Could have been another no ball. Shaw punches next ball to point, where the fielder dives to save a certain boundary. He is in command here, Shaw. Takes a single to mid-off and gets Manjot on strike on the fifth ball who takes another single. Shaw plays the next ball safely. Seven from the over.
FOUR! Shaw clubs this free-hit over cow-corner. Could have been another no-ball this.
India bringing up their 50 in the 10th over in 58 balls, and are motoring along at a good speed. The wicket has presented no demons, neither has the Australian fast bowling surprisingly. Sutherland's first ball dismissal of Shaw off a no ball was the only anomaly in a dominant 45 min. Early call, but I think India's fast bowlers are going to outdo their Aussie counterparts.
After 10 overs Ind 55/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 28, Manjot Kalra 24) Shaw dabs it towards point and slightly slow off the blocks, an agile Austin Waugh collects it and unleashes the throw at the non-striker's end and if he had hit the stumps that would been curtains for the Indian skipper. Shaw was running right at the center of the wicket, ended up jumping over the stumps. Shaw living slightly dangerously. Kalra too getting into thick of the things with couple of beautiful shots for boundaries.
FOUR! Another glorious shot through cover-point off the backfoot by Kalra. He seems to be enjoying it.
FOUR! A touch over-pitched and Manjot makes full use of it. Goes up and over! One bounce over the cover boundary.
After 9 overs Ind 39/0 (Manjot Kalra 16, Prithvi Shaw 27) All-rounder Jack Edwards comes on. First ball is identical to Sutherland's first ball: good length and outside off, but Prithvi lets it go this time. Good channels here. Edwards bowls five dot balls and Shaw punches the last ball to point for a single. Just a single, but Shaw looks in control.
After 8 overs Ind 38/0 (Manjot Kalra 16, Prithvi Shaw 26) Will Sutherland, the right-arm medium pacer comes as first change, and gets Shaw on the first ball off a no-ball. His line goes a bit awry after that no-ball. Delivers a wide down Manjot's leg-stump. The left-hander creams the last ball for four to end the over.
LET OFF! Will Sutherland lands one on perfect length a tentative poke from Shaw has him caught behind, or is it? Oh no, that's a no-ball . What a shame! That's a clear no-ball. Shaw gets a life.
After 7 overs Ind 38/0 (Manjot Kalra12, Prithvi Shaw 25) 11 from this over, including a six from Shaw. Bartlett just going off his length here and Shaw is all class.
SIX!: Shaw lofts Bartlett's third ball over long-on. All timing and still head. Wonderful.
After 6 overs, IND 27/0 (Prithvi Shaw 14, Manjot Kalra 12) Ralston to start another over, beats Manjot outside off first ball. Manjot's lack of foot movement could be dangerous here. He defends next two balls and gets a couple on the fourth. That's all he gets from this over.
After 5 overs, IND 25/0 (Prithvi Shaw 14, Manjot Kalra 10) Shaw getting into the groove with some fine punches.First ball is played off the backfoot crisply. The second ball is clipped for 3. Shaw creams the fifth ball for four and ends the over with a clip to mid-on for no runs.
He is making his name rather quickly, young Prithvi!
FOUR! Early to say but this could be the shot of the innings by Shaw. Brilliant drive through the covers.
After 4 overs, IND 17/0 (Prithvi Shaw 7, Manjot Kalra 9) Ralston to continue. Pitched up, full and wide. Manjot jams his bat down. He is sticking to balling within the stumps. Defended well by Manjot. Third ball is clipped of his toes by Manjot for a four. Ralston resumes to bowling wide of off stump. Very little feet movement by Manjot. Last ball is defended solidly off the backfoot by the left-hander.
FOUR! Manjot clips this off his toes to get another four.
After 3 overs, IND 13/0 (Prithvi Shaw 7, Manjot Kalra 5) After playing out the first over quietly, Shaw gets off the mark with a punch off the backfoot through the offside for a single. Kalra to gets to the other end with another single. Shaw completes the a purposeful over with a confident straight drive to collect a brace off the final ball.
FOUR! Cracking shot! Prithvi goes back in the crease and crunches it through the covers with a horizontal bat for his first boundary.
After 2 overs, IND 4/0 (Prithvi Shaw 0, Manjot Kalra 4) Jason Ralston starts the second over with a boundary. Pitches full and Manjot drills it past the bowler. Lands everything else back of length. Manjot defends well. Sourav Ganguly says he reminds him of a young Shikhar Dhawan.
FOUR! Manjot drills a straight drive to open India's account.
After 1 over, IND 0/0 (Prithvi Shaw 0, Manjot Kalra 0) Xavier Bartlett with the first over; right-arm medium fast. First ball defended solidly by Shaw. First three balls in good channels and all timed well by Shaw. Fourth ball did come back in a shade; a bit of an inside edge. Goes a touch fuller on the fifth ball, driven straight. Shaw plays the last ball off backfoot. It's a maiden to start.
Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra walk out to bat. Its a right-left combination. Shaw to take first strike.
India have quite a few players with first-class experience in their ranks. Here's what skipper Prithvi Shaw has to say about it, "Its a good advantage. Everyone knows their roles; I don't have to talk much. Great experience for me as well."
Australia's XI: Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Jason Sangha, Jonathan Merlo, Param Uppal, Baxter J Holt, Austin Waugh, Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Jason Ralston, Lloyd Pope
Colts from both sides walk out for the preliminary national anthems.
India's XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Manjot Kalra, Himanshu Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Aryan Juyal, Anukul Sudhakar Roy, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh, Ishan Porel
Team News : India have picked in form and uncapped Aryan Juyal as first choice wicketkeeper, and what an opponent to debut against. With Australia having no left hand batters in their squad, India have picked three left arm spinners, with Shiva Singh coming in along with regulars Abhishek Sharma and Anukul Roy. Those will complement the three fast bowlers.
Welcome to Firstpost's Live coverage from Tauranga, New Zealand. It's a beautiful venue, with the sun shining brightly. There was a bit of rain yesterday, but no signs of any this morning, and that's probably why Prithvi Shaw has chosen to bat first after winning the toss. India will have a chance to put runs on the board and bowl in the cooler evening. However, it's worth noting that despite it being a day night game, there is bright sunshine till 8 PM here, so the usual day night match effect, where the team bowling under lights gets the new ball to move more, may not be seen.
So India have won the all important toss in the opener and Prithvi Shaw has decided to bat first. Fasten your seatbelts folks!
The two teams are arriving...not far away!
Here's a lowdown on Australia's Austin Waugh. He does have more than a famous surname!
Early morning here in India as we cover the new dawn of world cricket. Bringing you all the live updates and coverage from what promises to be an exciting opener between India and Australia. Two heavyweights pitted once against the other.
Some really good-looking photographs, looks a bright day for cricket
Checkout all about India captain and the latest batting sensation, Prithvi Shaw.
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India's opening match in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2018. India, led by Prithvi Shaw, will take on Jason Sangha's Australia. A lot of hopes have been pinned on the Indian team. They were defeated in the final of the previous and lost out on the trophy. Under Rahul Dravid's guidance, this team will be looking to take the next step. For that though, a good start is really necessary. Can India beat Australia or will the Aussies overpower Indians in familiar conditions? Follow our blog for all the updates.
ICC U-19 World Cup, India vs Australia, latest update: Shaw starts the over with a boundary. He turns the strike over with a single to cover. Pope tosses it up and ends up as a juicy half-volley for Kalra to drive it through covers for a couple. Kalra to retain strike with a single to mid-wicket off the sixth ball.
Preview: An unanticipated consequence of Australia’s decision not to send a team to the 2016 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh is that, without placing at that tournament, they were at the mercy of fate when it came to who they would share a group with.
From a neutral’s point of view, it could hardly have turned out better, with India v Australia set to be one of the clashes of the entire group stages. They are the two most successful teams in U19 CWC history, having each won the tournament three times apiece, and both have brought sides stacked full of top-class players, many of whom have already had success against high-class opposition. We may well look back on this fixture, and the names of those who took part, and be amazed at how many have gone on to have significant careers. Don’t miss it.
India captain Prithvi Shaw and Australia captain Jason Sangha.
Form guide
For both teams, it’s a case of which one decides to show up. Both have veered between excellent and poor in the last 12 months, with little middle ground. India stormed through two five-match series against England, losing just once and winning eight, with one tie. But the Under 19 Asia Cup was a huge disappointment, as the lost to Nepal and Bangladesh and crashed out at the group stages. Australia similarly had a 4-1 series victory set against a 2-0 reverse against Pakistan.
Both teams had notable absentees when they struggled – the likes of Jason Sangha for Australia, and Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill for India – but they will still both be desperate to put those memories behind them with a strong opening performance.
Head to head
Australia and India have clashed 33 times at this level, with the ledger currently reading 19-14 in favour of the latter. In World Cups however, the teams are tied at two wins apiece. Their most recent World Cup clash came in 2012, when, thanks to an Unmukt Chand century, India triumphed in the final.
Forecast
There is a chance of showers throughout the day, although rain is by no means a certainty. Frustratingly, since play is set to start at 2pm (local time), the rain is most likely to stay away during the morning.
Squads
Australia: Jason Sangha (C), Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Lloyd Pope, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh
India: Prithvi Shaw (C), Shubman Gill, Aryan Juyal, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Harvik Desai, Manjot Kalra, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Pankaj Yadav, Riyan Parag, Ishan Porel, Himanshu Rana, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh