Jason Sangha’s Australian team have pulled off a great escape to stay alive at the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand by defending 127 against England on Tuesday.
Novocastrian skipper Sangha top scored with 58 in the quarter-final clash at Queenstown before Aussie leg-spinner Llyod Pope starred with tournament-best figures of 8-35 off 9.4 overs to skittle England for 96.
The wicket-taking haul featured three sharp catches in a row from Sangha in first slip, including one from an attempted reverse sweep deflected off the wicketkeeper.
England had been 0-47 after 7.3 overs but Pope, sporting long red hair, triggered a collapse of 10-49 and England were all out 16.1 overs later.
In the first innings Sangha, batting at No.3, was the mainstay as his teammates fell around him and gave Australia a total to bowl at.
The former Wallsend and Southern Lakes player hit seven boundaries in his 91-ball half-century and he was the second-last man dismissed.
An unlikely 31-run victory in the 50-over fixture sees Australia progress to the last four and puts them within reach of a final appearance.
They will meet either India or Bangladesh, who play on Friday, in a semi-final early next week.
Steve Waugh’s son Austin was dropped from Australia’s XI for the quarter-final.
