FINAL CALL Two-time winners India lock horns with hosts and defending champions Australia in the title clash of the under-19 World Cup today

FINAL CALL

Two-time winners India lock horns with hosts and defending champions Australia in the title clash of the under-19 World Cup today

Townsville: India will face their sternest test in the pursuit of a third ICC Under-19 World Cup Trophy when they take on formidable defending champions Australia in what promises to be an exciting summit clash of the event here on Sunday. Patchy in batting with some of their top order batsmen not showing the desired consistency, the Indians will have to raise their game in conditions that have favoured the bowlers at the Tony Ireland Stadium here. India have not quite hit their straps despite the tournament drawing to a close now with not-too-impressive performances in Group C. The Indians followed up a defeat to the West Indies with expected wins against Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. Superb bowling performances saw them defeat Pakistan in quarters and New Zeland in the semis but the side has failed to get consistent efforts from their batsmen, with Vijay Zol (150 runs) being India’s highest run-scorer. They have been much better with the ball though, with Kamal Passi (10 wickets) and Sandeep Sharma (8 wickets) leading their attack. The spin duo of Harmeet Singh and Baba Aparajith also proved their worth with economical spells in the nine-run win over New Zealand in the last-four stage. Batting first is often seen as an advantage in the 50-over format but four countries have pulled off successful run-chases with the side which bats first averaging just 213 runs at the venue. Only Australia’s Cameron Bancroft and Zimbabwe’s Malcolm Lake have scored centuries at the venue. But India have a successful history at the event, having won it in 2000 and 2008. A disappointing result in 2010 saw the team finish sixth, losing the quarterfinal to Pakistan. Skipper Unmukt Chand sounded confident of the team’s chances. He said: “I am very optimistic. We have played Australia in Australia and that too at the same venue. We are used to the conditions, and should do well,” said Chand, who has just 135 runs in the event. “The team has peaked at the right time. We did not start well in the competition, but the teamwork can be seen now. It is not that one or two players are carrying the side on their shoulders. Everybody is contributing,” added Chand.