Australia captain Hugh Weibgen tips his quartet of quality fast bowlers for the big time
The pace attack that dominated the U19 World Cup final could be destined for the big time, according to Australia skipper Hugh Weibgen.
Australia defeated India by 79 runs to lift the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024.
Victorious Australia captain Hugh Weibgen believes his side’s quartet of fast bowlers that starred in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 final against India are destined for the big time.
The Aussies made a bold call at selection when including four quicks in their XI for the title decider in Benoni and the decision paid off in spades as Callum Vidler, Charlie Anderson, Tom Straker and Mahli Beardman combined to take seven wickets in the dominant 79-run triumph.
Only four India batters scored in double figures as Australia defended their decent total of 253/7 with relative ease and Weibgen said much of the credit for the victory was down to the performance of his in-form seamers.
Vidler (14), Straker (13) and Beardman (10) all finished among the leading wicket-takers at the event - while Anderson (four scalps) also impressed at times - and Weibgen sees no reason why the quartet can't build on their efforts and forge a long career at international level.
"With a pace attack like ours there's a fair bit of confidence when we get 250 on the board," Weibgen said post-match.
"That was our plan (after winning the toss) to get a few runs and back ourselves to defend it.
"As a unit, they worked so good together. They know their roles and are happy to bowl either ends.
"They are all for the team and I would be surprised if all of them don't go a very long way in their careers."
Weibgen also revealed he noticed a weakness among the India batting line-up when Australia took on the Asian side during a warm-up fixture for the event in Pretoria.
Vidler and Anderson skittled India's top-order in style on that occasion prior to the tournament and Weibgen was confident his bevy of quality quicks could do the job once again for Australia.
"Its been said a lot, but our fast bowling attack is pretty good," Weibgen said.
"When we thought if we could get a defendable today around 250 we would back ourselves to defend that.
"We went all right with them in a trial game with the pace bowlers and the pitch here had a little bit more bounce than when we played at other grounds so that was the reasoning behind it.
"We felt pace was probably the best chance to get them out and we backed that in."