Benoni, Feb 11 (Reporter) Oliver Peake's late flourish took Australia to 253/7 against India in the final of the ICC Men's U19 World Cup at Willowmoore Park here on Sunday. Hugh Weibgen called it right and elected to bat first in Benoni. Charlie Anderson came in for Tom Campbell for Australia. India were unchanged. Australia reached 253/7 at the end of the first innings. This was the highest-ever total in a U19 World Cup final. Harjas Singh top-scored with 55, while Weibgen, Harry Dixon and Ollie Peak contributed with efficient forties. Raj Limbani starred for India with 3/38. Harry Dixon was off to a belligerent start, taking 15 runs off Naman Tiwari's first over. However, Raj Limbani got one to swerve in and castled his partner Sam Konstas in the third over. India soon switched to spin, and managed to stem the scoring rate in the first Powerplay. Dixon and Weibgen were watchful against the spinners at the start of the middle overs, while also calmly milking runs to keep the scoreboard ticking. The overs 11-20 saw 42 runs come, with boundaries easing in towards the end of that period. A return to pace yielded immediate results in the 21st over, as Tiwari dispatched Weibgen for 48. The left-armer struck again in his next over, this time getting the better of Dixon. The slower ball outfoxed the southpaw, and he popped it towards Abhishek Murugan. Harjas Singh and Ryan Hicks then rebuilt for Australia with a patient stand. Harjas, who had scored merely 49 runs in the tournament thus far, opened his arms against the spin of Priyanshu Moliya, hitting a six and four in the 28th over. He hit a flurry of boundaries thereafter Hicks was eventually trapped leg before by Limbani for 20, but Australia were progressing at a healthy run rate. Harjas punched a Tiwari full toss down the ground in the 37th over to bring his maiden fifty of the U19 World Cup. Saumy Pandey struck back for India by getting Harjas soon after. The batter tried to sweep Pandey towards the on-side but missed and was trapped plumb leg before. Ollie Peake's positive intent helped Australia craft their total past 200 even as India bowlers kept chipping away. Australia eventually added 66 off the last 10 overs. India and Australia will look to make an addition to their respective trophy cabinets with a win in today’s U19 World Cup final. If India win, it will be a record sixth title for them reaffirming their status as a major force in junior Men’s cricket. For Australia, it will be yet another major ICC trophy to their name after the recent success in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023...////...