South Africa, the only unbeaten team among the four semi-finalists in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, will go into Wedensday’s semi-final with an extra dose of motivation after watching their senior team beat Australia in the second Test at Port Elizabeth.
Graeme Smith and co beat the in-form Australia by 231 runs to level the Test series, but for skipper Aiden Markram and his boys, a more important battle is at hand as they aim to continue their fine form in the tournament and convert it into a place in the final against Pakistan.
South Africa have twice reached the final of the premier world tournament for the U19 boys, but have never managed to lift the trophy. In 2002, they lost to Australia, while in 2008 in Malaysia, India beat them in the final. Australia have been crowned champions three times and they were runners-up to India at home in the last edition.
Based on their current form, South Africa start favourites. Apart from the fact that they have not lost any match so far, they also beat Australia in both matches they played during an international youth series in India last year.
However, Markram is not willing to take the Aussies lightly. Speaking to Sport360° after their nets session last evening, he said: “It is a massive match for us and we are taking nothing for granted. We may have been unbeaten so far, and we did have some good wins over Australia in the past, but tomorrow is a new match.
“Of course, we saw how the senior side came back after losing the first Test and levelled the series. We are very proud of them, and their performance gives us some extra motivation going into the match.”
Markram (259 runs) is the leading scorer, while seamer Justin Dill (10 wicket from three matches) has taken the most wickets for the young Proteas.
But the go-to man for them has been all-rounder Yaseen Valli, who has scored a century, two knocks of 53 and taken eight wickets with his left-arm spin.
Markram, who has hit back-to-back centuries in his last two matches including an unbeaten 105 against Afghanistan in the quarter-finals, is delighted with his own form and the team’s progress.
The Centurion-born 19-year-old also downplayed the lack of form of his opening batting partner Clyde Fortuin, as well as the absence of wickets from his opening bowlers.
“Clyde is a very experienced player for us and he has played many international matches. I think it is just a matter of time he comes good and plays a big knock. We are hoping that happens tomorrow,” said Markram.
“As for the bowlers, we are very happy with their performances. Obviously, Justin and Yaseen have taken more wickets, but the openers have built up the pressure on the opposition.”
So, is there an Australian player they have marked out, one they would like to target early?
“The Australians are a good all-round side. If you ask me for one, it would probably be Jake Doran because he is their best batsman. But we really have to concentrate on all of them,” Markram said.
Australia’s South African-born opener Jaron Morgan, who immigrated with his parents to Australia as a three-year-old, said they are expecting a tough match against the country of his birth.
“A semi-final in a World Cup tournament is always pretty huge, especially for me as well with South Africa-Australia,” Morgan said. “Everyone’s pretty excited; we’ve played them before so we know what to expect and how they’ll be – pretty intense and disciplined.
“I think we’ve got to keep it as simple as we can, play to our strengths, and the runs will come.”
