Young Maroons On Top Of World

Captain Weibgen and paceman Vidler impressed in the Final overnight, with Australia defeating defending champions India by 79 runs in South Africa top go through the tournament undefeated.

Wests batsman Tom Campbell, who played in the semi-final win over Pakistan, was squeezed out for the Final with the Australians opting to throw an extra pace option into the mix. That was a masterstroke as it turned out, with Australia's four-pronged pace attack led by Valley quick Callum Vidler providing the winning edge.

Weibgen hit a composed 48 as he and Victorian opener Harry Dixon overcame the early loss of NSW opener Sam Konstas to put on a stand of 78 and help Australia reach an eventual total of 7-253, the highest scored in and Under-19 Final. Weibgen finished with 304 runs at 50.66, just behind Dixon who hit 309 runs to be his team's leading scorer.

Vidler, who spent time as a Local Replacement Player with the Brisbane Heat before heading to South Africa for the World Cup, made the initial breakthrough with the new ball and finished with 2-35 from 10 overs. He finished the tournament with 14 wickets at 11.71 to be Australia's leading wicket-taker.

Gold Coast wicket-keeper Lachy Aitken was in the wings as Australian dismissed India for 174 in the 44th over.

Weibgen, a Queensland Bulls rookie contracted player for the first time this season, proved a composed and astute captain for Australia as the Valley allrounder made the most of his selection in the World Cup squad after overcoming a back injury that ruled him out of the National Under-19 championshps where Queensland finished as runners-up.

The Australian win made it the third time in the past eight months where Australia have defeated India in the final of an ICC men's event.

The win meant the the 2023-24 sude became the fourth Aussie U19 team to win the tournament and the first since 2010 when Josh Hazlewood helped Mitch Marsh's side lift the crown in New Zealand.