On this day in 2018 – Australian U19 cricketer Lloyd Pope takes 8/35
The most tantalising aspect of the sport that it is so unpredictable. You never know on which day you may turn up and see a world record. On January 23, 2018, Australia U19 team was up against England U19 team in the quarterfinal of the World Cup 2018 in Queenstown. Half-way through, England were deemed as the favourites to clinch the game, however, the second innings saw the arrival of spinner Lloyd Pope who simply blew away the Englishmen.
The marquee game commenced with Australian captain Jason Sangha winning the toss and electing to bat first. However, the decision didn’t reap good results as the England bowlers went all guns blazing against the opponents’ feeble batting line-up. England had managed to put Australia out of the contention by bowling them out for a paltry total of 127. Ethan Bamber, Dillon Pennington and Will Jacks took three wickets each while Euan Woods snatched the remaining.
Chasing 128 in 50 overs, England were off to a good start as the opening duo of Tom Banton and Liam Banks added 47 runs to the scoreboard. However, then arrived the Lloyd Pope-storm and ripped through the clueless England batting. The spinner marked the best bowling figures in the history of the Under-19 World Cup as he bowled a spectacular spell of 8 for 35.
WATCH: #OnThisDay in 2018, Lloyd Pope registered the best bowling figures in all ICC #U19CWC!
His 8/35 bowled England out for 96 with Australia sealing a convincing 31-run win. pic.twitter.com/yfGDJ6XlY5
— ICC (@ICC) January 23, 2019
With this dream spell, the 21-year-old surpassed his teammate Jason Ralston to become the bowler with the best bowling figures in the history of the tournament. Ralson was dominating the chart with figures of 7 for 15 against Papua New Guinea earlier in the same tournament.
Apart from Lloyd Pope, Param Uppal scalped one wicket as England was destroyed for a paltry total of 96 and Australia registered a comfortable victory by 31 runs to make their way to the semi-finals of the event.
