Australia is ready to take on ‘mighty’ India in the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup Final at Tauranga's Bay Oval on Saturday.
Australia Under 19s captain Jason Sangha spoke today, ahead of his team's Final showdown to win the U19 Cricket World Cup.
“We are not 'underdogs' and India are not favorites. We’ll play best of our ability. It’s a grand final and whoever plays the best game will win the title," said Sangha.
“A lot of our players have experience playing day-night cricket.
"Our confidence have grown ever since we played first game with India. We are ready to play our best cricket.
Sangha, 18, has been one of the stars for Australia during the tournament, with the NSW Blues rookie scoring two half-centuries and averaging 43.2 across his five innings with the bat.
The two teams have met previously at this World Cup in the group stages, with India prevailing by 100 runs to claim top spot in Group B, ahead of Australia.
Australia last won the tournament in 2010, also in New Zealand, when the side featured the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Nic Maddinson.
Australia has also been forced to make one change to its squad ahead of the final, with Western Australia all-rounder Aaron Hardie being ruled out with a groin injury.
Hardie will be replaced by Victoria's Patrick Rowe, a 17-year-old batsman-wicketkeeper who represented Australia Under 19s in December against Pakistan Under 19s.
Hardie was originally an injury replacement for New South Wales fast bowler Jason Ralston.
The 2018 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup Final will be a day-night match, starting at 2pm local time.
