Nick Knight, Rob Key and Mark Butcher make their selections
Monday 5 February 2018 09:36, UK
India are the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup champions after cruising to an eight-wicket victory over Australia.
There have been plenty of memorable moments and performances throughout the tournament, so we asked Nick Knight, Rob Key and Mark Butcher to pick their favourites…
Congratulations to India - they were by far the most talented, best organised and most cohesive team and thoroughly deserved to be winners for the fourth time.
BEST MATCH
Nick: For pure drama, I'm going for Australia's quarter-final win over England; a quality leggie proved England's undoing as Lloyd Pope took 8-35 and Jason Sangha's slip catching was exceptional. Pope has a brilliant googly and his delivery to dismiss Harry Brook first ball was quality bowling at its best and an example of great thinking.
Rob: I've got to agree with Nick. Pope produced the spell of the tournament to break English hearts just when England, at 47-0 chasing 128 to win, seemed to be cruising.
Mark: Only one game in it, England's spectacular defeat against Australia in the quarter-finals. England lost 10-49 in pursuit of 128 and Pope googlied his way into the record books.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Rob: India's 203-run demolition of Pakistan in the semi-final, featuring a century from Shubman Gill and 4-17 from Ishan Porel, was as good a performance as you will see at this level. India U19s wouldn't look out of place against some full international sides.
Nick: That century confirmed Gill as the best batsman I saw in the tournament by some distance. He would not look out of place in senior international cricket now as he appears to have a technique and method that will serve him well around the world, not just in India. He has shone away from familiar conditions back in India as well.
Mark: Afghanistan's dismantling of the hosts New Zealand in the quarter-finals. It was another great moment in the meteoric rise of Afghanistan cricket.
STANDOUT PLAYER
Nick: With the bat it has to be Gill; India also have terrific prospects in Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, neither of whom would look out of place in international cricket given their pace and athleticism.
In terms of England players, Harry Brook looks a very good player and opener Tom Banton is also one to look out for. Seamer Dillon Pennington had a good tournament and is a good prospect.
Rob: Gill is the best young player I've ever seen which when you consider I played against a young Virender Sehwag and with Alastair Cook puts him at the top of an exciting list!
Mark: I have to agree with the other two in that Gill looks a class above. Nagarkorti is a real athlete and just the latest in India's production line of fast bowlers, while Sangha, of Australia, looks a fine player and captain. English lads to look out for are Pennington, Banton and Brook.
