Harry Dixon, one of Australian cricket's brightest young prospects, has inspired the national teenage side to a mammoth victory in their latest one-sided contest at the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
The 18-year-old opener from Melbourne, an aggressive left-hander who reckons David Warner is his hero, led from the front in Thursday's clash, cracking 89 off 108 balls to lay the foundations of Australia's second straight win in the competition over Zimbabwe.
But whereas the young Aussies got a little carefree and careless in racing to their opening win over Namibia by four wickets, they were rather more dominant second time out in Kimberley, blitzing their latest outclassed African opponents to defeat by a massive 225-run margin.
Dixon, who's so good that he'd already wrapped up a deal with the Renegades in the BBL even before the World Cup started, spearheaded the assault after Australia won the toss and elected to bat, hitting 10 fours and two sixes.
As well as having an attitude to batting that reflects that of his hero, Dixon, who hit two international centuries on the tour to England, has had the privilege of working with Warner at close quarters.
"Coming through the ranks as a youngster, I've always idolised him," he told cricket.com.au recently. "He's the reason I bat the way I do today - he inspired me."
Dixon was joined in his 91-run opening stand with Sam Konstas (45) before working alongside captain Hugh Weibgen, with whom he piled up another 86 runs before he was eventually castled by Brandon Sunguro.
The 19-year-old Weibgen then went on to make 68 off 69 balls, with Tom Campbell powering an unbeaten 47 off just 28 balls at the finish, including five fours and two sixes, as the Australians racked up a total of 7-296.
In Zimbabwe's pursuit, Harkirat Bajwa played the chief destroyer with his offbreaks, taking 4-15 off his 7.2 overs as the batting line-up folded tamely for just 71, their innings ending after just 23.2 overs of their allotted 50.
Weibgen's side will seek to continue their 100 per cent record against Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein on Sunday, with both sides currently unbeaten.
Meanwhile, India's teens also continued their perfect start in Bloemfontein, with Musheer Khan making a hundred in their 7-301 and paceman Naman Tiwari taking four wickets as they bowled out Ireland for 100 to seal a whopping 201-run win.
