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Vidler and Straker dismantle Namibia for 91 to hand Australia opening win
Australia’s fast bowlers, led by Callum Vidler bundled Namibia out for under 100, before their captain Hugh Weibgen steered them through a tricky chase in their first game of the Men’s Under-19 World Cup.
Weibgen came out to bat in the third over after opener Sam Konstas was cleaned up by Jack Brassell and saw Australia lose half their side with 35 runs still needed. But he and No. 7 batter Raf MacMillan all but sealed victory for Australia, knocking off 30 of those runs in a 40-ball partnership.
With plenty of swing on offer, Charlie Anderson and Vidler put the pressure on early, not allowing the Namibia openers to get away. Vidler then drew first blood in his second over with a yorker that swung away late to make a mess of Johannes de Villiers’ stumps. He then struck again in his next over, trapping No. 3 Johannes Visagie lbw.
There was a period of resistance when opener Gerhard Janse van Rensburg dug in while No. 4 Zacheo van Vuuren picked up some boundaries. Van Vuuren struck a gorgeous cover drive before trying again only to get a thick edge and see the ball fly through the vacant third slip region.
But Tom Straker came into the attack and got both batters to nick behind – Rensburg to the keeper for a 32-ball 2 and van Vuuren to first slip for 29 off 47.
Straker then drew another outside edge as Ryan Moffett was caught at slip before Mahli Beardman cleaned up Brassell.
Vidler returned to the attack to have Henry van Wyk caught behind before Beardman picked up a second wicket. Namibia captain Alexander Busing-Volschenk consumed 45 balls, even hitting offspinner MacMillan for four and six, but MacMillan eventually got the better of him.
Vidler wrapped the innings up by bowling No. 11 Junior Kariata.
In the chase, Australia didn’t have it easy. Brassell bowled Konstas in the third over and Hanro Badenhorst had his opening partner Harry Dixon miscuing a pull to mid-on in the sixth.
Dixon was the first of four wickets to fall for 27 runs as Brassell and Badenhorst let Namibia dream of an upset, albeit momentarily. By the time van Wyk had MacMillan caught down the ground, Australia had all but won the game.
Brief scores:
Australia Under 19s 95 for 6 in 19.5 overs (Hugh Weibgen 39*; Jack Brassell 3-28, Hanro Badenhorst 2-29) beat Namibia Under 19s 91 in 33.1 overs (Zacheo van Vuuren 29, Alexander Busing-Volschenk 21; Callum Vidler 4-17, Tom Straker 3-16, Mahli Beardman 2-15) by four wickets
Kian Hilton’s 90 went in vain, as Bangladesh’s top and middle-order batter all chipped in with handy knocks to help the team to a six-wicket win in Bloemfontein.
Put in to bat first, Ireland struggled to stitch together any meaningful partnerships till the halfway mark, and were struggling at 95 for 4. However, even as wickets around him fell, Hilton kept the runs flowing, as he hit 11 fours and a six during his 113-ball knock. His 81-run stand with Scott MacBeth looked to revive the team, but Ireland kept losing wickets at regular intervals to be eventually restricted to 235 for 8.
Bangladesh began the chase well, as the openers Ashiqur Rahman Shibli (44) and Adil Bin Siddik (36) produced a 90-run partnership. A brief wobble through the middle overs had Bangladesh in a spot of bother at 130 for 4, but Ahrar Amin (45*) and Mohammad Shihab James (55*) stayed unbeaten till the end, their 109-run stand sealing victory inside 47 overs
Brief scores:
Bangladesh Under 19s 239 for 4 46.5 overs (Ashiqur Rahman Shibli 44, Adil Bin Siddik 36, Chowdhur Md Rizwan 21, Azrar Amin 45*, Mohammad Shihab James 55*; Scott MacBeth 2-41) beat Ireland Under 19s 235 for 8 in 50 overs (Kian Hilton 90, Jordan Neill 31, Scot MacBeth 27, John McNally 23; Maruf Mridha 2-45, Sheikh Paevez Jibon 2-54 ) by six wickets
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 17 April 2026, valid for 18 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Being a key frontline stakeholder in the national mission, ‘A Nation United,’ the Navy continues to maintain a vigilant maritime shield to eradicate the drug menace from society.
During yet another successful operation on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler and apprehended four suspects in connection with the
smuggling of a stock of suspected narcotics.
The intercepted trawler, along with the suspects, was escorted to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour today, (17 April 2026).
During a special inspection at the fisheries harbour, the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) confirmed the presence of over 161kg of heroin.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekera (Retd), and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, to inspect seized narcotics.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister emphasized that drug trafficking has long persisted as an organized and sophisticated criminal enterprise. He highlighted that under the current government’s national mission, ‘A Nation United,’ a robust state mechanism is now in motion, integrating the Tri-Forces, Police, Special Task Force, PNB, and international agencies to dismantle these networks.
Underscoring the Navy’s operational success, the Deputy Minister revealed that in 2025 alone, the Navy seized narcotics valued at over Rs. 75,000 million. In the first four months of 2026, the momentum has continued with nearly Rs. 50,000 million worth of drugs intercepted and produced for legal action.
During this short period, 14 local multi-day trawlers and 127 suspects have been apprehended. He issued a stern assurance that seized drugs would never find their way back into society, as they are systematically destroyed under strict protocols.
“Human capital is our nation’s most vital asset,” the Deputy Minister noted, adding that a healthy population leads to a quality workforce and a resilient economy. He further remarked that the vision of a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, extends beyond financial stability to include the dignity, discipline, and mindset of the citizenry.
“On the instructions of the President, new legislation is being drafted for Parliamentary approval to further empower this national mission and ensure a law-abiding, civilized society for future generations”, he stated.
Concluding the briefing, the Deputy Minister lauded the media for their role in drug prevention and urged continued responsible journalism to educate the public on the dangers of narcotics.
Meanwhile, the apprehended suspects, the multi-day trawler, and the 161kg heroin shipment were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward investigation and legal proceedings.
Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala have resigned from their respective positions today (17)
Showers expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.
Ex-lawmakers group calls for IPU’s intervention to check “irregularities” in Parliament
Power and Energy Minister, Ministry Secy resign over coal probe
President appoints Commission to probe irregularities in coal imports from inception of Norochcholai
Heroin haul transported on 50-million-rupee contract
Kongahage and another released on bail
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