Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Saturday, 24 January 2026 05:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Will Byrom scalps another Sri Lankan batsman on his way to a five-wicket haul
A five-wicket haul from Will Byrom helped Australia top Group A of the ICC Men’s Under19 World Cup after they skittled Sri Lanka for 58 in the final group match played at Windhoek yesterday. Australia won the contest by nine wickets.
Byrom and Charles Lachmund ripped through Sri Lanka in the first powerplay, reducing them to 31-6 at the ten-over mark.
In the third over, Lachmund had yorked out Viran Chamuditha right in front of the stumps, while Dimantha Mahavithana edged one to slip. From there, the procession never stopped. The two tall pacers extracted movement and bounce off a pitch that had plenty in it for those who bowled it quick. Most Sri Lanka batters were either caught in the slip cordon or stuck in front of the crease, unable to counter the movement, and often late on their feet.
Hayden Schiller and Kasey Barton slipped into the attack once the powerplay was done, and immediately took over the same lines and lengths. The highlight of Barton’s own spell was his wicket of Sethmika Seneviratne. He dropped it on a full length and fizzed it back into the off stump, trimming Seneviratne’s bails and breaching through Sri Lanka’s last recognised batter.
Sri Lanka’s bowling defence began with Rasith Nimsara extracting similar movement off the pitch. However, both his bowling, and Kugathas Mathulan’s from the other end, were plagued by inconsistent lines that often drifted down leg. Sri Lanka ended up conceding 11 extras, which included nine wides. After Will Malajczuk fell early, Nitesh Samuel was a little circumspect. But Steven Hogan ensured to finish the run chase with little fuss, just as time before rain drifted in towards the ground.
Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland went through to the Super Six from this group. Sri Lanka will meet Afghanistan in their first Super Six match at Windhoek on Monday.
Scores:
Sri Lanka (U19) 58 (18.5) (Chamika Heenatigala 14, Kavija Gamage 10, Charles Lachmund 2/19, Will Byrom 5/14, Kasey Barton 2/13)
Australia (U19) 62-1 (12) (Steve Hogan 28*, Nitesh Samuel 19*)
