Aussie girls set for T20 World Cup semi despite defeat
Australia captain Lucy Hamilton admits her team have been brought down to earth by a shock defeat at the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup, but she feels it could prove just the jolt they need before taking on South Africa in the semi-finals.
Star Brisbane Heat bowler Hamilton admitted that the 12-run loss to Sri Lanka in their final Super Six match at Bangi on Wednesday - a result that ended their unbeaten run at the tournament in Malaysia - was a "tough one" after such a promising run through the championships.
But she was adamant Australia, who want to outdo the outfit Hamilton was a part of when beaten in the semi-finals of the inaugural edition two years ago, wouldn't be put off by the setback as they look forward to Friday's semi-final against the unbeaten South Africans in Kuala Lumpur.
A recap of Sri Lanka's thrilling win over Australia 🎥➡️ https://t.co/G4gBFOvlBb#U19WorldCup #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/1CKGSR8Q1t
— ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2025
"They definitely outplayed us today. Using their spinners, they adapted to the wicket a lot better than us. So credit to Sri Lanka," said Hamilton, whose side had already qualified for the semis but were well below their best as they fell short while having to chase down just 100 to win a low-scoring affair.
Sri Lanka, opting to bat, had battled their way to 8-99, stifled by some fine bowling, particularly by Hamilton's Brisbane teammate Lily Bassingthwaighte, who took 3-7 off her four overs.
But faced with their modest target, Australia were under the cosh as soon as 18-year-old Hamilton's proved the third wicket to fall with just 23 on the board after the skipper was stumped off the spin of Pramudi Methsara.
The 15-year-old star Caoimhe Bray looked to have swung things Australia's way with 27 off 32 balls, including three of the only four fours hit in the innings.
But once she had fallen, getting caught in the deep off Limansa Thilakarathna, Australia struggled, eventually needing 20 to win off the final over.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳...Which of these skippers will lead their side to glory in the #U19WorldCup 2025? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2kb9OgSYWF
— ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2025
Ultimately, they could muster seven with Aseni Thalagune producing a boundary-free final over, complete with a final-ball dismissal of Chloe Ainsworth as the Australians stuttered to 8-87.
"This is a great opportunity just to bring us down to earth and know that it's a really tight competition, and going into the semi, everyone will be really ready to go," said Hamilton, of Friday's semi.
"It's good to know where we're at. Our bowlers bowled really well today and going into the next game, we'll just keep backing ourselves."
The other semi-final to played later on Friday will be between tournament favourites and reigning champs India, who play England in a repeat of the 2023 final.
Also on Wednesday, Nigeria, perhaps the story of the tournament, ended their breakthrough campaign with a six-run victory over Ireland to follow up their two-run win over New Zealand earlier in the event.
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Smith and Vasil look like two Rule 5 hits for the rebuilding Chicago White Sox
Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Shane Smith pitched a total of 10 1/3 innings during his college career at Wake Forest. He had a shoulder operation as a freshman, and his sophomore year was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then he had elbow surgery. At that point, even Smith began to wonder if baseball was going to work out for him. 'My dream of playing professional baseball, to say it didn't waver would probably be lying,' he said. 'But I knew there was an avenue somehow.' There sure was. Smith has turned into a pleasant surprise for the last-place Chicago White Sox after he was selected by the team in the Rule 5 draft. The White Sox also have Mike Vasil, another 25-year-old Rule 5 right-hander who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in March. The Rule 5 draft provides an opportunity for players left off big league team's 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Teams pay $100,000 to select a player in the major league portion. The players must stay on the active 26-man major league roster all season or else clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for $50,000. Between 10 and 20 players are selected in the big league Rule 5 draft most seasons, but most don't actually stick with their new clubs. Even fewer develop into All-Star-worthy contributors. Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana are two of the most famous Rule 5 success stories. So far, it looks as if Smith and Vasil are going to stick with the rebuilding White Sox — quite an accomplishment for an organization from one Rule 5 draft. Smith has a 2.37 ERA in 68 1/3 innings over 13 starts, and Vasil has a 1.99 ERA in 45 1/3 innings over 20 appearances, all but two in relief. 'Obviously Mike and I are, I think, putting our best foot forward as of now,' Smith said. 'The biggest thing we can do is just keep it going, keep doing the same stuff.' Smith or Vasil very well could represent the last-place White Sox at next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta. Dan Uggla with the Florida Marlins in 2006 is the only player to be named an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, according to Sportradar. Being a Rule 5 player is a unique situation in that first year, but Vasil said he doesn't think about it very often. 'I've spent my whole life trying to get here,' he said. 'So I think it's already hard enough, don't put more pressure on yourself.' The 6-foot-5 Vasil was selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 amateur draft out of the University of Virginia. He was picked by Philadelphia in the Rule 5 draft in December and then traded that same day to the Rays for cash. The White Sox are Vasil's fourth organization since the end of last season. 'It's a lot,' he said. 'But I think for me, at the same time, I guess you could say you feel wanted by a lot of different teams.' Vasil began the season in Chicago's bullpen, recording a 1.89 ERA in his first 18 appearances. He got his first career win when he pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings against Houston on May 4 and his first save when he got three outs at Cincinnati on May 14. But Vasil's six-pitch arsenal — highlighted by an effective sinker and sweeper — makes him a strong candidate for the rotation. He pitched four shutout innings in his second start at Texas on Saturday. 'Not something that's unfamiliar for me,' he said of starting. 'I started all my minor league career, so in terms of routine I probably know this one a little bit better than my relief one right now.' Smith went right into Chicago's rotation during spring training — an unusual spot for a Rule 5 player. Since 2016, Luis Perdomo, Brad Keller and Mitch Spence are the only pitchers who made at least 20 starts in the majors in the season after they were selected in the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Keller began the 2018 season in Kansas City's bullpen before moving into the rotation in late May. He finished his rookie year with a 9-6 record and a 3.08 ERA in 20 starts and 21 relief appearances. 'I think you definitely pull for all the Rule 5 guys because I feel like, not to say this in a bad way, but Rule 5 guys kind of get a bad rap, right?" said Keller, a key reliever for the Chicago Cubs. "It's like they're like nobody's got a chance. That's not true. Some organizations are in different situations where they can't protect guys that they want to.' Smith had been in Milwaukee's organization since he signed with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, just weeks after he had Tommy John surgery. He had a 3.05 ERA in 32 appearances over two minor league stops last season, finishing the year with Triple-A Nashville. Smith has a big four-seam fastball that gets into the high 90s, to go along with a good slider and curveball. But the biggest key to his success this year has been the development of a nasty changeup that really came together in the offseason after years of work. Fortunate timing for Smith and the White Sox. 'For a guy that hasn't really pitched above Double-A, he had some innings in Triple-A, but to come here and pitch the way that he does, it just speaks to his ability and his confidence and also speaks to the group of players and staff here to support him,' general manager Chris Getz said. "Shane is doing really well and we expect him to have a really productive, healthy season for us.' ___ More AP baseball: recommended
