New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) The captain of Australia U19, Oliver Peake, is optimistic that his team's unbeaten streak has positioned them perfectly to make a significant impact at the crucial stages of the U19 World Cup. He stated that there is “no better time” for his young squad to challenge the tournament’s top teams.

If Australia secures a victory over the West Indies on Wednesday, they will claim a spot in the first semi-final. This match marks their debut in Zimbabwe after starting the tournament in Windhoek, Namibia.

A win would ensure a semi-final on Tuesday in Bulawayo, where they are anticipated to face either India or England, the leading teams in Group 2.

Peake expressed that the initial phase of the tournament has allowed the team to gain confidence and build momentum. “I've enjoyed my time in Namibia – I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s been a relaxed environment. Every new experience has been exciting, and facing different teams has been fantastic,” he shared in a quote from cricket.com.au.

“It feels like there's no better time to start challenging the strong teams, as we have a lot of momentum right now, and I hope we can carry that forward,” he added.

Australia finished at the top of Group A with decisive victories against Ireland and Japan by eight wickets, followed by a nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka. These victories earned them vital points as they entered the Super Six stage, where they kicked off with a six-wicket triumph over South Africa before moving to Zimbabwe.

While Australia's batters have efficiently handled run chases, their success has heavily relied on consistent bowling performances. They have opted to bowl first in every match thus far, with England being the only other team to exhibit a similar balance across disciplines. Both teams are the only ones with two players ranked among the top eight for runs and wickets in the tournament.

Will Byrom has excelled with nine wickets at an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 2.83, while Charlie Lachmund has taken eight wickets at 11.12. Peake commended the variety within his bowling attack. “With each game, it seems like we're progressing in the right direction. Our bowling has improved significantly since our first practice match.

“The bowlers complement each other nicely… I feel like we have a well-balanced attack currently and are performing strongly,” Peake remarked.

On the batting front, Steve Hogan leads Australia’s scoring with 201 runs, while Nitesh Samuel has shown remarkable consistency, averaging 172 due to three unbeaten innings. Samuel’s steadiness complements the dynamic Will Malajczuk, who boasts the highest strike rate in the tournament among regular batters.

In other developments, Sri Lanka’s victory over Afghanistan has opened up Group 1, although Australia’s trajectory suggests they can only meet Afghanistan in a potential final. England and India continue to be the frontrunners as the Super Six stage progresses.