Colombo: Australia were made to sweat by a spirited USA before the two-time champions managed a 4-wicket victory against the minnows in an under-19 World Cup cricket match on Thursday.

Australia scored the 149 runs they needed to win in just 24.1 overs but lost six wickets in the process.

It took 37 from William Sheridan and 31 from Aaron finch to bring things under control as the pair added 69 and bailed the team out from 53 for four.

The win confirmed Australia as the winners of group B and means they will play the runners-up of group C, either Sri Lanka or India, in the Super League quarter final, on Saturday.

Left-arm spinner Jon Holland was the man who set up the win for Australia by capturing 4 for 39.

His effort, together with three wickets for Henriques (3/21) and two successes for Adam Ritchard (2/23), meant the winless tournament newcomers were dismissed in 42.5 overs.

SUMMARISED SCORES

Group A: Bangladesh 255 in 49.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64). Uganda 84 in 33.4 overs. Bangladesh won by 171 runs.

Group B: USA 148 in 42.5 overs. Australia 149/6 in 24.1 ovs. Australia won by 4 wkts.

Group C: Scotland 156 in 48 overs. Namibia 160/3 in 36.3 overs (D. Botha 55 . .). Namibia won by 7 wkts.

Group D: Nepal 234/8 in 50 ovs (Sharad Veswarkar 82). Ireland 174 in 45.3 overs (Morgan 86). Nepal won by 60 runs.