Cricket News

‘We’ll love that challenge’ – Australia’s Hugh Weibgen prepares for match against India in U19 World Cup 2024

Australia’s U-19 captain Hugh Weibgen stated that he expects India to “come out and compete really hard” in the 2024 U19 World Cup final. The U19 World Cup 2024 final will be played on Sunday 11th February at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

In the second semi-final of the U19 World Cup Australia defeated Pakistan by 1 wicket as the match went to last over. Australia captain Hugh Weibgen aims to guide Australia to their fourth U19 World Cup trophy. Australia has won U19 World Cup in 1988, 2002 and 2010.

“India are a class team, they’ll come out and compete really hard – we’ll love that challenge, we’ll love that fight, and we are really looking forward to it,” Weibgen said after the match.

While batting first Pakistan posted a total of 180 runs chase for Australia in the semi-final. In reply, Australia got a good start but found themselves in a problem as they were 164 for 9 in chase of 180. When 17 runs were needed from 4 overs Australia’s captain Raf MacMillan and Callum Vidler stood up and took their team into the finals.

India meeting Australia third time in the U19 World Cup final

When only four runs were needed in the last over MacMillan scored the winning runs for his team.

“We had full faith in Vids (Vidler) and Raf to get the job done. There was quite a bit of emotion in the dressing room. I was quite tense and excited too. I still don’t know what really happened, but it was awesome,” he added.

Meanwhile, India is aiming to win their sixth U19 World Cup trophy. This is not the first time they are meeting in the final. They have met each other in the 2012 and 2018 finals. Both times India won the U19 World Cup. India looks to defend their U19 World Cup title by becoming the second team after Pakistan. They achieved this feat in 2004 and 2006.