LINCOLN (New Zealand), Feb 8: Australia cruised through to the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a 93-run win over the West Indies at Lincoln near Christchurch Thursday.

The overwhelming favourites for the championship scored 252 for eight, with Craig Simmons top-scoring with 84 and Cameron White chiming in with 64.

The West Indies innings began poorly but was rescued by an 82-run partnership for the third wicket by Tonito Willett (83) and Narsingh Deonarine (40), before the last seven wickets fell for just 27 runs.

Australia had earlier had a characteristically steady innings with Simmons and White posting a 105-run partnership for the third wicket.

Nepal beat Bangladesh by 23 runs for a place in the Plate Championship final against Zimbabwe.

THURSDAY’S SCORES:

SEMIFINAL: Australia beat West Indies by 93 runs.

Australia 252-8 in 50 overs (Craig Simmons 84, Cameron White 64); West Indies 159 in 40 overs (Tonito Willett 83).

Plate Championship semifinal: Nepal beat Bangladesh by 23 runs.

Nepal 180-6 in 50 overs (Basudev Thapa 41 not out); Bangladesh 157 in 47.3 overs.—Reuters