JPN U19 vs AUS U19, 16th Match – Windhoek, Jan 20 2026

Back on January 20, 2026, at the Namibia Cricket Ground, Australia’s Under-19 team crushed Japan’s Under-19s in the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup. They won by 8 wickets, and pretty quickly too – with 125 balls left! Will Malajczuk went crazy, smashing 102 runs off just 55 balls, earning him Player of the Match. Japan put up a decent fight, scoring 201/8, but couldn’t stop Australia’s powerful batting.

This win cemented Australia’s position in Group A and showed how strong their youth program is. They went for it, took some calculated risks, and nailed the key moments. Japan showed some promise, with Hugo Tani-Kelly’s unbeaten 79, but it wasn’t enough to scare the Aussies.

Japan’s Innings: Good Efforts Under Pressure

Japan batted first, wanting to set a good score. Nihar Parmar scored 33 before getting run out, and Charlie Hara-Hinze added a quick 24. But Hugo Tani-Kelly was the star, patiently scoring 79* off 135 balls. He hit six boundaries and helped Japan get past 200, even though wickets kept falling.

The Japanese team showed some grit, recovering from early losses and building partnerships. Montgomery Hara-Hinze’s 29 and contributions from the tail-enders helped Japan reach 201/8. There were also 30 extras (wides, no-balls, etc.), showing a little lack of control from the Aussie bowlers.

Japan’s batting showed that cricket is growing in Asia. Hugo Tani-Kelly and Nihar Parmar showed solid skills, which could be important in future games. But they needed to score faster in the middle overs, which made the target easier for Australia.

Australia’s Batting Show: Malajczuk Leads the Way

Australia started their chase strong. Will Malajczuk just went for it, making it a blast to watch. He reached 50 in just 23 balls and got to 100 off 55! He hit 12 fours and 5 sixes.

Nitesh Samuel supported him, staying not out on 60, and Tom Hogan added 19 not out. They made sure the chase was easy, with Australia finishing at 204/2 in just 29.1 overs. They scored at almost 7 runs per over, showing strong batting skills.

Australia’s innings showed how important it is to have good middle-order batting and the power to finish strong in under-19 cricket. Malajczuk’s batting also showed how valuable it is to have players who can perform under pressure.

Australia’s Bowling: Accurate and Controlled

Australia’s bowling didn’t have to do too much because of the fast chase, but they still did a good job keeping Japan to 201. Will Byrom, Naden Cooray, and Kasey Barton took important wickets, making sure Japan couldn’t build big partnerships. Cooray took three wickets, stopping Japan from getting a higher score.

The bowlers were accurate and mixed things up, showing Australia’s well-rounded approach. They showed how to use pace, spin, and good field placements. Being able to adjust to the pitch and keep the pressure on is key at the under-19 level, and Australia nailed it.

Background and Competition in U19 Cricket

Australia and Japan don’t play each other often in U19 World Cups, making this match important. Australia is usually strong in youth cricket because of good training and competitive games back home. Japan is getting better, and players like Hugo Tani-Kelly and Nihar Parmar show that talent is growing in new places.

This match showed the gap between the top cricket nations and those still growing, but it also gave valuable experience to the developing players. Japan’s score showed they are getting better, while Australia’s big win proved they are still a major force in youth cricket.

Talking Points

The performance of Japan’s bowlers was questioned, especially how they bowled to Malajczuk. Some people wondered if different bowling changes or field settings could have limited the damage.

Also, the fast scoring in under-19 cricket and how it affects strategy was talked about. Malajczuk’s crazy strike rate was a big conversation, showing how batting is changing in youth cricket.

Highlights

Will Malajczuk’s century was the best part of the match. Getting a hundred in 55 balls at an under-19 World Cup shows serious talent. It will be remembered as one of the fastest centuries in these tournaments.

Hugo Tani-Kelly’s 79* was Japan’s best batting, showing skill and the ability to bat for a long time under pressure. Nitesh Samuel’s 60* showed Australia has good batting depth. Cooray and Byrom bowled well for Australia.

Fan Reaction

A lot of cricket fans around the world paid attention to the match. The dominant performance by Australia showed that young players are emerging who could play senior cricket soon.

People on social media talked about Malajczuk’s great batting and Japan’s fighting spirit. The match showed how the World Cup helps promote cricket in new countries while also showing how strong the established teams are.

In Conclusion: Australia Had a Great Game, and Japan Showed Potential

The game was a mix of dominance and effort. Australia’s big win, led by Will Malajczuk, showed they are strong in batting, strategy, and execution. Japan, even though they lost, showed real talent, especially Hugo Tani-Kelly, showing that Japanese cricket has a bright future.

This match shows the skill and passion in under-19 cricket. Australia proved they are still a top team, while Japan gained valuable experience. Both teams will learn from this match.