ENG-WMN U19 vs AUS-WMN U19, 2nd Semi-Final at Potchefstroom, WU19 WC, Jan 27 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Thanks for tuning in, we had a ball bringing you the action. Hope you join us for the final in two days. It's goodbye for now from me, Ekanth, my co-commentator S Sudarshanan, and our scorer for the day, Abdul Shakeel.

Aditya: "It's India vs England in the finals just like last year's men's U19 World Cup!"

Mark: "Amazing! Kudos to the England U-19s for not panicking when the 9th wicket pair had got Australia so close."

JOYDEEP GILL: "How difficult this pitch was 20 wickets within just 38.3 overs even in T20I match "

Okay, so that was so good a game, the innings summary comes after the presentation. England had 99 runs to defend. Anderson and Stonehouse started with wickets in their first. Moore got going with Hayward, then Baker came through, got the latter. The bowling was tight and kept the run rate low. After ten, Australia had over half the runs to get. Moore fell in the eleventh, then it was a bumpy ride through plot-twist lane. The asking rate soared. Wickets fell periodically, Smith tried to risk a few shots with, connected and brought the equation back in the batting team's favour. Baker being taken off the attack to save an over later and it almost took the game fully outside England's control. That was until Groves' fifth ball in the 16th took the lofted drive to long-off's hands. MacDonald-Gay's second catch should've sealed things but wides, boundaries on both sides of the ground brought the equation down to single figures. But with four to win, Illingworth took off for a run off a dropped caught-and-bowled chance off Baker, and got run out by MacDonald-Gay's direct hit from mid-off. After that Wilson and Clark were tied up, there was a chance every ball it felt like, they couldn't get a run, and when Clark closed the bat-face to try and work the ball to the leg side and get a single, she missed and it was all over.

Grace Scrivens, England Captain: Batting didn't go to plan, but bowling was great. They have a good seaming line up. We just wanted to enjoy it, soak it up, back ourselves. (On the emotions) It's a really high-pressure situation. So just had to take a breath. Take a minute, try and get some thoughts (together).

Rhys McKenna, Australia Captain: No one likes losing, especially in the semi-final. Losing bulk wickets in a short period of time is what cost us. Our bowling has been exceptional, batting hasn't been good enough at times. Experience has been unbelievable.

Hannah Baker, POTM: Everyone's adrenaline was going off. We just wanted to keep getting wickets and go as far as we can. Our bowling attack was good, fielding was brilliant. There's always doubts but we had confidence. I just wanted to rip the ball and take wickets.

lakesidey: "Two senior men's games going on and I still couldn't take my eyes off this screen for the last couple of overs :) England are surely going to be riding high on confidence for the final!"

4:38pm: 96 off 100 generally leads to a first class with distinction. Not in the academic world of cricket. Three short, tournament over. What a game! England were 45 for 7 and came back, thanks to Stonehouse, Baker, Scrivens among others to pull off a miracle. It'll be an England vs India final on the same ground in two days

Sanjeev: "One hell of a match."

Scrivens from around. Four runs or a wicket will end the game. One ball either way potentially...

Baker time, too late?

sanjeev: "Those 5 wides changed everything "

"We've still got this girls, come' on!' is the shout from the keeper

Celine : "I'd rather see India face England in the finals. So for now, Go England!"

Rachit: "Winner of this match will win this world cup."

Kamal: "Would like to see eng winning this. Aussie ladies hv pretty much won everything possible, too boring. Some change of flavor needed. "