U19 World Cup 2024: Australia wins title over India as Geelong talent Oliver Peake turns heads

The stunning rise of Geelong young gun Oliver Peake continued in the U19 World Cup final — just weeks after he was flown over as a replacement player.

Another eye-catching cameo from Oliver Peake has helped Australia down reigning champions India in the U19 Cricket World Cup final in South Africa.

The Geelong prodigy was one of four Aussies to pass 40, making an unbeaten 46 from 43 deliveries which included a stunning reverse lap six off a spinner, which saw them set a target of 254.

India was skittled for 174 in reply with paceman Mahli Beardman (3-15) and spinner Raf Macmillan (3-43) doing the damage as Australia claimed their fourth U19 World Cup title and their first since 2010.

Oliver Peake hit this reverse lap shot for six. Picture: AFP

It capped a rapid rise for Peake, initially named as a non-travelling emergency but was flown over mid-tournament to replace injured teammate Corey Wasley and managed to break into Australia’s side at just 17-year-of-age.

The highly-touted batter stepped up when the Aussies needed it most. proving to be the Australia’s x-factor in the finals with a score of 49 in their thrilling semi-final win against

Pakistan.

Peake finished the tournament with 120 runs at an average of 60.

Impressive displays in the U19 World Cup final are often an indication of what’s to come in the future, with pinpoint Aussie wicket-taker Josh Hazlewood taking 4-30 in Australia’s triumph in 2010.

It continues Peake’s stunning summer, making a century in Premier Cricket for Geelong and two hundreds for Vic Country at the under-17 national carnival.

Originally published as U19 World Cup 2024: Australia wins title over India as Geelong talent Oliver Peake turns heads