Aussies feeling at home in hot Namibian conditions at U19WC
With two century-makers in as many group games, reigning champions Australia are displaying their depth and proficiency in the World Cup furnace.
Australia are showing why they are one of the teams to beat and the defending champions at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup.
They have successfully navigated a path to the Super Six stage with a second successive Group A win to start their campaign unbeaten.
In their tournament opener against Ireland, it was Steve Hogan that went big (115 off 111 balls), with solid support from Nitish Samuel (77* off 101). But in their most recent fixture, a clash against Japan in Namibia, it was another Aussie top -order star that burst onto the scene and into the record books, Will Malajczuk.
The 18-year-old blasted the fastest ton the tournament has ever seen, coming off just 51 delivieries.
Aussie juggernaut marches on | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
The defending champions breezed past Japan with an eight-wicket win to seal their Super Six spot at the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026.
"A nice one to have on the resume, but anything that helps the team get a win is the main thing, so really happy," Malajczuk admitted post-game.
It hasn't taken long for Australia to showcase their batting stocks' immense class and depth, which holds them in good stead to make another deep World Cup run.
Malajczuk, particularly, thrived in the Namibian conditions.
"Credit to the Japanese bowlers, they bowled really well and I think the pitch helped the way I like that bat, it was really nice and came on good. It slightly got slower as the game went on, but other than that it was a really nice wicket to bat on," he continued.
Will Malajczuk's milestone ton | POTM Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
Will Malajczuk led Australia to a comprehensive win with 102 runs off 55 deliveries against Japan at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026.
Australia looked well adapted to the hot conditions, with their star opener admitting that certain moments in the game caused larger problems than what the weather presented.
"It wasn't too bad (the heat), but we got a bit hot when we weren't taking wickets, so as soon as we took wickets it got a bit nicer for us ... it wasn't too hot, " Malajczuk added.
Australia's next challenge is Group A's other unbeaten outfit Sri Lanka, in what promises to be an intriguing contest between two sides that have already booked their Super Six spots.
"That'll be a really good challenge, but I think the way we prepare and look into (Sri Lanka) will be really important ... I think we match up really well against them, but we just need to prepare as well as we can and we should have a good game," Malajczuk said.
Also at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, that game is scheduled for Friday.