Ryan Hicks has guided Australia's rising teenage cricket stars to their latest triumph in the Under-19 World Cup, scoring a cool, unbeaten 77 to guide them to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Kimberley.
Hicks, one of the stars of last year's tour to England, cracked seven boundaries and shared in an unbeaten 82-run partnership with allrounder Tom Campbell (33no) in an impressive chase on Sunday (Monday AEDT) to maintain the youngsters' unbeaten record after three matches in group C.
After they had bowled out the also previously unbeaten Sri Lankans for 208, with Callum Vidler doing the most damage with his 3-28 off nine tidy overs, the Australians always looked in control in their chase as Harry Dixon, star of their previous win over Zimbabwe, got them off to another flyer.
Left-handed opener Dixon, one of the brightest hopes in the Australian game, cracked 49 off just 41 balls, slamming three fours and a six off his first 13 deliveries, while dominating an opening partnership of 71 with Sam Konstas (23).
After captain Hugh Weibgen fell early and Harjas Singh found the going hard with his 17 off 53 balls, Hicks and Campbell took control to guide Australia to the winning post on 4-211.
Going into the penultimate over with six still needed, Campbell finished the job with two boundaries to seal the victory with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Sineth Jayawardena, son of the former great Mahela, had won the toss and decided to bat first, only to see his decision quickly put to the test with excellent paceman Vidler getting rid of Pulindu Perera in the first over.
Jayawardena and Supun Waduge put on 47 but Vidler and offspinner Campbell got rid of them in successive overs to keep the pressure on.
The three wins put Australia in a strong position as they move into the tournament's Super Six stage, already leading their group by two points after a couple of counting games.
They next play England at the same Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday.
India and Pakistan are the other teams with 100 per cent records after their opening three matches.
