News

Team Australia and Guam have finished a five game series at the 2025 Under 23 Men’s Baseball WBSC Oceania Championships.

Australia is back in the top ten of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men’s Baseball World Rankings.

Australia picked up 104 points after their record ninth place finish at the U12 World Cup this week, improving their standing from 11th to 10th in the world.

It’s the first time Australia has been in the top ten since October, 2023.

It edges our ranking above traditional baseball powerhouses like Dominican Republic (11th) and Cuba (12th).

WORLD RANKINGS: View the full list from WBSC 

Australia reached as high as sixth in 2019 but COVID limited the national team’s ability to play meaningful international games for a two year stretch.

However, Australia picked up meaningful international ranking points with a quarter-final appearance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and a seventh place at the 2024 Premier12.

Australia has collected ranking points at the U12 World Cup, U18 World Cup, U23 World Cup, Premier12, World Baseball Classic, and multiple qualifying events.

The top twelve teams at the end of 2025 gain automatic entry into the 2027 Premier12 tournament.

Australia’s next major tournament is the Under 18 World Cup in Okinawa, Japan in September.

This story is written by Eric Balnar, with photos from Scott Powick. We are filing daily stories from Australia’s ten-day training camp in Fuchu, Japan as they prepare to play in the Premier12. For more stories, visit www.baseball.com.au/premier12.

The last time we saw Australian right-handed pitcher Ky Jackson was September, 2024. He was carving up opponents while wearing the Green & Gold at the Under 23 World Cup in China.

In fact, you could make the argument Jackson has been Australia’s U23 ‘Ace’ over the last three years. 

In two World Cups, Jackson has posted a 1.69 ERA across six games and 20.2 innings.

But today, he was his own national program’s opponent.

Ky was playing for his professional team in Japan, but against Australia.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty nervous,” said Jackson. “Nerves, but the excitement part of it wins because I obviously know all the boys. It was weird. Because you never get an opportunity to pitch against Team Australia, I’ve always been with them. It was weird. But exciting.”

Above: Jackson pitching for Australia at the U23 World Cup

Australia is playing a series of five exhibition games against five different Industrial Japanese League opponents as part of their 10-day training camp in Fuchu City.

These teams are effectively baseball playing divisions of companies owned by mega-Japanese companies, featuring a groundswell of young Japanese talent and former NPB professionals.

Jackson, a 23-year-old who was born, raised and developed in the New South Wales baseball system, moved to Japan when he was 18-years-old to pursue his baseball dream.

His mother is Japanese, his father in Australia, so he has a passport.

At 18, Ky moved to Japan to attend university, to play baseball, and to earn sports psychology degree.

Now, Jackson finds himself playing for Nippon Express – today’s Industrial League opponent for Team Australia.

He opened the game, tossing 2.0 innings allowing a couple hits and a run.

Above: Ky Jackson on the mound on Friday for Nippon Express. Photo: Scott Powick.

He says he was maybe more nervous to face his friends than he was to play with them at a World Cup.

“It’s waaaay different nerves,” says Jackson. “But yeah, probably more. It’s just because I know all the boys. This was really fun and probably a one-of-a-kind experience. Bragging rights, you know?”

His Aussie mates were ‘heaps keen’ to face a fellow national team brother.

Solomon Maguire, Rixon Wingrove, Coen Wynne, Alex Hall, Will Sheriff, Blake Townsend & Jarryd Dale were all once U23 World Cup teammates with Jackson, either in 2022 or 2024, in addition to their Aussie domestic exploits.

Now that group is on Australia’s Premier12 roster.

Ky’s first at-bat of the game was against Travis Bazzana – a player he played charter baseball at Ryde with growing up.

“I saw [Travis] before the game and I asked him what pitch he wanted. He said give me a fastball. So, I said ‘you got it’ and I gave him a fastball,” laughs Jackson.

Bazzana ambushed the pitch of the game and found himself on base.

“That’s what he does,” says Jackson.

“Yeah, it was kind of a cheap one,” says Bazzana. “But Ky, he’s always been such a great and competitive player growing up. One of the best pitchers in the state kind of thing.”

Outfielder Solomon Maguire says it was a cool moment for him on a personal level. It was another instance in an ever growing list of moments the two have helped each other out. He shares insights as to just how Australian baseball players help each other out.

“Me and Ky are close so whenever we end up back [on the same team], we talk about what we’ve been working on, talk about the path we are on and if we can get pointers from each other. We are in two different baseball countries that play the game completely different,” he says.

Maguire says this game felt special for a number of reasons.

“At the last World Cup, I sat down and asked him how he would pitch to me knowing my weaknesses,” says Maguire. “He broke it down for me and I was like, ‘yeah you would completely get me out.’ But those conversations are healthy because now I can go away and work and figure out how to overcome that. I know for me and a lot of guys it’s a fun experience to test your stuff at this level against a mate.”

Above: Blake Townsend, Solomon Maguire, Ky Jackson, Travis Bazzana and Will Sherriff have all played for Australia together at the U23 or junior levels. Photo: Scott Powick.

Jackson and his Aussie mates all shared a hug and laugh before the game.

“We grew up together, we love each other, yeah it was special,” he says.

Jackson is draft eligible for the NPB next season. He says that’s what he’s working towards right now.

 That, and reaching the senior national team.

“Since I was 12 or 13 I’ve always wanted to play for Australia. I always do and still want to play for Australia. One day hopefully I am good enough to be on one of these senior teams in the future. That’s definitely on my mind. I just have to keep working towards it,” he says.

LENDING A HELPING HAND

Jackson has a big smile on his face when reflecting on the experience.

“Everybody was so pumped,” says Jackson of the Nippon Express. “They were all asking me about all the players and the level. I would say this is a big memory for a lot of them.”

Above: Group Photo – Nippon Express x Team Australia. 

“When we found out we were playing Team Australia it was such a huge honour for everyone. You know, we watch those tournaments in our dorm rooms, with each other, at work. Everyone knows this is Team Australia,” he says.

Jackson says he could tell it meant a lot for those on Nippon Express to play today.

“It’s a surreal thing for my teammates too. Now we’ve played them, now we can go cheer for them knowing we’ve done our part to help get them ready to play [a major tournament],” he says.

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams says it is another great example of how the Japanese community rallies around Team Australia. 

He says these exhibition games are crucial in preparing the team.

“We give Fuchu City a schedule and say we would like to play five games in these time slots and they go and get it done,” he says. “It’s remarkable because some times games are at funny times. They’re not on weekends. They go out of their way for us.”

Players from SegaSammy, another Industrial League team, working on the field pre-game to help Australia prepare for the Premier12. Photo: Scott Powick.

Williams says the games are an important part of the process.

“Guys need to play. They need to have at-bats, they need to face high quality opponents and that’s the quality of the opposition we are facing. We are very appreciative,” he says.

But for Ky, it was a merging of two worlds.

“Japanese people love the game, respect the game, support the game and respect the opponent,” he says. “Now we are part of the journey.”

“For me it was good. Kind of felt like I was in both my homes.”

Australia has finished their campaign at the WBSC Premier12, presented by Raxus.

It’s an international baseball tournament for the best twelve senior national mens baseball programs in the world.

Watch in Australia on the WBSC official streaming platform, Gametime.Sport, or for free on DAZN.

For media requests, please contact Eric Balnar at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au.

SCORES & RESULTS

Wednesday 13 November – Japan 9 def Australia 3
Friday 15 November – Australia 5 def Dominican Republic 0
Saturday 16 November – Cuba 4 def Australia 3
Sunday 17 November – Chinese Taipei 11 def Australia 3
Monday 18 November – Korea 5 def Australia 2

Schedule, scores, stats, standings and results can be found here: www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-premier12/

STANDINGS (remaining games in parenthesis)

1. Japan 4-0
2. Chinese Taipei 3-1
–
3. Korea 3-2
4. Cuba 1-3
5. Dominican Republic 1-3
6. Australia 1-4

Scenario: If Japan beats Dominican Republic, and Chinese Taipei beats Cuba, Australia will finish T7 at the Premier12.

STORIES

by Eric Balnar

Game Recap – Korea takes advantage of Australian miscues as Premier12 concludes

Game Recap – Chinese Taipei power past Australia to punch ticket to Super Round

Game Recap – Deja Vu: Australia falls by same scoreline to Cuba as at the World Baseball Classic 

Game Recap – Australia one-hits Dominican Republic, Perkins drives in four, to improve record to 1-1 at Premier12

Game Recap – “We weren’t really sharp” – Japan defeats Australia 9-3 to open Premier12

November 13 (FOX SPORTS) –  “Like Nothing I’ve ever Seen”: How these Australian baseballers become sporting royalty in Japan

November 13 – Transcript of Pre-tournament Press Conference featuring Dave Nilsson, Tim Kennelly, Shusei Togo and Ibata

November 12 – “Be Ready” | Behind the role & mentality of every Team Australia pitcher at the Premier12

November 11 – “For Mum” | The story of the remarkably brilliant Mitch Neunborn

November 11 – Travis Bazzana eager to make his senior Team Australia debut (Japan Times)

November 10 – Check out all the media buzz around Australia at the Premier12

November 9 – Fuchu becomes home away from home for Australian national team, wonderful feature by Japan Times

November 8 – From Ace to Opposition: U23 Aussie ace Ky Jackson faces senior squad as member of Japanese pro team 

November 6 – It’s a special Spence brothers family reunion at Team Australia training camp

November 4 – Friendship, Fatherhood, Finding Joy | The story of Australia’s Rookie, MLB pitcher Lewis Thorpe

November 3 – Unique Japanese welcome ceremony blows Australian national team away ahead of team’s first practice game

November 2 –  What does Fuchu City, and Team Australia’s training camp, actually look like?

October 10 – Australia reveals roster for Premier12

HOW TO FOLLOW

Broadcast: In Australia, the Premier12 tournament will be available on Gametime.Sport. and also for free on sports streaming app DAZN.

Social Media: Follow us for regular updates every day. Instagram – @teamaustraliabaseball. Facebook – Team Australia Baseball. X – @teamausbaseball

SCHEDULE

ROSTER

PDF Version: Click here.

Team Australia features a roster of:

– Three (3) players with MLB experience;
– The 2024 MLB Draft first-overall selection;
– 25 players with World Baseball Classic or Premier12 experience;
– 13 players with Triple-A experience;
– 26 players with minor league baseball experience;

All have played in the Australian Baseball League.

To learn more about Team Australia’s Premier12 roster, visit this link.

Solomon Maguire let his play do the talking in Australia’s 9-2 win over South Africa on the final day of the World Cup.

Australia’s centerfielder went 2-for-4 with a home run, four runs batted in and a diving catch.

He had enough game changing moments today to create his own highlight reel, but Maguire says the team wanted to leave the tournament with a statement.

“After we had a few tough loses in the last few days it was easy for any of us to check out and think of home time,” he says. “I was impressed by the team today and shows the fight our country has no matter the situation. That’s what gives us continuous chances at all tournaments over and over again.”
Maguire may have played the leading role but there were contributions from everywhere. All nine players in the starting nine reached base. Four pitchers combined to allow five hits.

It wasn’t easy – at least early. South Africa took an early 1-0 lead.

Maguire installed an Australian advantage with a two-out, 2-RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the second to give Australia their first lead.

Australia muscled in a six run third inning to soar ahead 9-2. Maguire punctuated the damaging frame with a two-run homer.
He left his final signature on the game – and the tournament – by making an incredible diving catch in the outfield to end the game.

Maguire was quick to credit his teammates.

“Tournament play is about trusting what we have. Our whole team is good enough to get the job done in any of the situations that were presented in front of us,” he says. “I was lucky enough that my trust led to me helping out of team when we needed it.”

Once Australia had the lead they made sure not to relinquish it. Some tidy defense and excellent work from the pitching staff closed the door.

Left-handed pitcher Conor Myles was particularly impressive. In his third appearance of the tournament, Myles tossed 3.0 innings with five strike outs and no runs.

He finishes the tournament as Australia’s pitching leader: 7.0 innings with no runs allowed.

Chris Burke and Cayden Nicoletto joined Maguire with two hits.

Australia used four pitchers in the win – Zak Elvy, Dylan Clarke, Conor Myles and Lachlan Brook.

The big win marks the end of Australia’s World Cup campaign – with a 4-4 record vs eight different countries. They will finish ninth in the World Cup, and pick up a projected 207 World Ranking Points.

You can read about the game flow below.

BOX SCORE: Stats, scores & play-by-play
U23 WORLD CUP HUB: All your Team Australia news
WBSC PAGE: Official WBSC U23 World Cup Page

PLACEMENT ROUND STANDINGS

7. Netherlands 4-1
8. Chinese Taipei 4-1
9. Australia 3-2
10. Colombia 2-3
11. South Africa 1-4
12. Great Britain 1-4

Game Recap – As It Happened

After teams traded scoreless innings, South Africa struck first in the second.

They barely had to put a ball in play. Zak Elvy walked two batters before Dylan Clarke entered in relief. A pair more of walks, and South Africa scored a run thanks to four base on balls.

Australia responded with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second.

A single to Cayden Nicoletto, walk to Jake Burns and a Ben Fierenzi hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Solomon Maguire knocked in a pair of runs with a checked swing that deflected the ball up the middle for a 2-RBI single.

Fierenzi scored on a double steal attempt to push the score to 3-1.

South Africa pegged one back in the top of the third.

But Australia did the bulk of their day’s damage in the bottom of the third.

Australia played six runs, punctuated by a two-run Solomon Maguire, to steam ahead.

Cayden Nicoletto started the scoring by driving in a run with an RBI double that was cranked off the top of the wall. JAKE BURNS followed with an RBI single.

Australia scored on a wild pitch and passed ball to push the score to 7-2. That’s when Maguire blew it open with his two-run homer – his second long ball in as many days and fourth RBI of the afternoon.

From there, it was one for the pitchers.

Conor Myles was particularly impressive, going 3.0 innings with five strike outs and no runs. Lachlan Brook pitched a clean final inning, helped by an amazing Solomon Maguire diving catch.

FINAL SCORE: Australia 9 def South Africa 2

Some pretty defensive plays, excellent bullpen work, and a pair of homers wasn’t enough for Australia as Chinese Taipei took Friday’s Placement Round game.

The win drops Australia’s record to 2-2 in the Placement Round with one game to play vs South Africa. Chinese Taipei improves to 3-1.

Australia’s opponent did all their scoring in the second inning. They rattled off four runs and Australia was on the back foot early.

Zak Skinner’s third inning solo shot and Solomon Maguire’s two-run bomb in the fifth accounted for Australia’s scoring. But that’s all she wrote for Australia, who out hit the Taiwanese by 6-5.

There were numerous nice defensive plays in the field, including Maguire throwing a runner out at home and some smooth infield work by BJay Cooke & Jo Stevens.

Australia’s bullpen of Stuart Tharle, Will Sherriff, Josh Beezley, and Lachlan Brook combined to toss 5.1 relief innings, allowing three hits, no walks and and seven strikeouts.

Chinese Taipei starting pitcher Jia-Hue Zeng turned in an almighty effort. He allowed just two hits in 4.0 innings and the lone run.

It’s the second one run loss in as many days for Australia, who fell 3-2 to Netherlands yesterday.

Australia will look to finish strong with a game vs South Africa tomorrow at 12:00PM AEST>

BOX SCORE: Stats, scores & play-by-play
U23 WORLD CUP HUB: All your Team Australia news
WBSC PAGE: Official WBSC U23 World Cup Page

Other Placement Round Scores
Day 7: Colombia 12 def South Africa 3….Great Britain 2 def Netherlands 1

PLACEMENT ROUND STANDINGS

7. Netherlands 3-1
8. Chinese Taipei 3-1
9. Australia 2-2
10. Colombia 2-2
11. South Africa 1-3
12. Great Britain 1-3

Game Recap – As It Happened

Taiwan scored first.

They put up a crooked number in the second, scoring four runs. A pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch put runners on all the bases with no outs.

Australian starter Ali Tanner was able to strike out a couple batters, but Chinese Taipei scored thanks to singles from Heng-Yu Ho and Chun-Wei Liu.

Four runs crossed the plate in total. It spelled the end of the day for Tanner, with Stuart Tharle taking the reins.

Zak Skinner crunched a solo shot to start the second to try to ignite the Aussie offence, but it remained their only hit until….

Australia’s defense tried to hold them in it.

Solomon Maguire threw out a runner at home from centre to help Australia complete a double-play and escape the third without allowing a run.

In the fourth, Will Sherriff entered the game with two runners on and one-out. He worked a strike-out and a ground ball to escape with no damage.

He also pitched a clean fifth. Sherriff’s final line read: 1.2 innings, 0 hits, 1 walk and no runs.

Chinese Taipei starter Jia-Hue Zeng finished his afternoon pitching 4.0 innings allowing two hits, two walks and just the lone run.

Kuan-Ying Chen took the ball from there.

Australia wasted little time to strike back closer. Solomon Maguire crunched a two-run shot of Chen over the right-field wall to move the scoreline to 4-3.

Josh Beezley then entered the game as the fourth Australian reliever of the game. He manoeuvred through 1.1 innings, registering three strikeouts, one walk and no runs.

Lachlan Brook took the baton from there – recording two outs including a big strikeout in the seventh with a runner in scoring position.

Australia went down in order in the seventh.

Australia outhit Chinese Taipei 6-5.

FINAL SCORE: Chinese Taipei 4 – Australia 3

A game of missed opportunities for Australia.

Netherlands didn’t have many scoring opportunities in their 3-2 Placement Round game win over Australia at the Under 23 World Cup, but when they had them they took advantage.

The Dutch brought a string of six players to the plate, scoring all three runs in the fifth inning, just moments after breaking up a valiant no-hit attempt from Aussie starter Kieren Hall

The win improves Netherlands’ Placement Round record to 3-0, while Australia falls to 2-0.

Hall (Below) was excellent for the Aussies. In fact, he faced the minimum through four, only succumbing a walk which was promptly erased by a double play. He struck out five.

His no hitter laster until there were two outs in the last.

But the Dutch broke the no-hitter with a double. They followed with a walk, and that was the end of Hall’s day.

Then, off reliever Stuart Tharle, they singled in a pair of runs. Tharle struck out the following batter Raydley Legito.

Australia thought they were out of the inning just giving up the pair. They were in the dugout.

But the ball slipped away from the catcher, ruled a passed ball and a strikeout, and Legito stood on first. The Aussies were called back out from the dugout and Netherlands scored two more runs.

It was their only real scoring opportunity of the game and the Dutch made the most of it.

Australia had their chances.

Bases loaded, no outs in the fourth? One run – and off a passed ball.

Australia trailed 3-2 in the seventh & final inning with two runners on and no outs, but failed to score the tying run.

Each team had four hits in the game, led by BJay Cooke who went 2-for-3.

Both starting pitchers turned in solid performances.

Dutch starter Dylan Farley allowed just two base runners in his first three innings of work, before Australia scored their first run in the fourth.

For Kieren Hall, his stat line reads: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 ER.

There were some nice defensive moments, too.

Australia is currently playing in the Placement Round after missing out on the Super Round following Pool Play despite a 3-2 record. Crucial world ranking points are up for grabs.

Records against teams you’ve already played carry over. For Australia, this means wins over Great Britain and Colombia started their Placement Round campaign with a 2-0 record.

Australia plays Chinese Taipei (2-1) on Friday at 4:30PM AEST. Australia will need to win if they want to finish top eight.

BOX SCORE: Stats, scores & play-by-play
U23 WORLD CUP HUB: All your Team Australia news
WBSC PAGE: Official WBSC U23 World Cup Page

Other Placement Round Scores
Day 6: South Africa 8 def Great Britain 6….Chinese Taipei 5 def Colombia 1

PLACEMENT ROUND STANDINGS

7. Netherlands 3-0
8. Australia 2-1
9. Chinese Taipei 2-1
10. Colombia 1-2
11. South Africa 1-2
12. Great Britain 0-3

RECAP – AS IT HAPPENED

A pitcher’s duel from the moment the umpire said ‘Play Ball!’.

Dylan Farley turned in a fantastic pitching performance for the Dutch in the early stages. He allowed just two base runners – a hit-by-pitch and a hit – in the first three innings.

Australian starter Kieren Hall (below) was even better. He allowed just one base-runner, a walk, through the first four innings with five strikeouts. The 23-year-old right-hander sat down 14 of 15 batters, and faced the minimum through four thanks to a double-play.

Australia scored their first runs in the fourth inning. A hit-by-pitch, error and a walk loaded the bases with no outs.

While Australian bats struggled to capitalise, a passed ball between pitcher Pim Vijvinkel and catcher Sem Kuijper put Australia on the board.  A second run was tagged out at home.

1-0 Australia through four.

Netherlands struck gold in the fifth. With two outs, they promptly saw a succession of six straight batters reach and three runs touch home.

Netherlands broke up Kieren Hall’s no-hitter attempt with two outs in the fourth inning. Rushenten Tomsjansen doubled down the line. He walked the next batter.

Stuart Tharle came into relieve for the Australian starter, but Gedionne Marlin singled in a pair of runs to give Netherlands a 2-1 lead.

Then, a bizarre moment. Tharle struck out Raydley Legito but the ball slipped away. Morgan and the Australian defensive walked to the dugout for what they thought was the third out of the inning. Meanwhile, Legito wandered his way down to first base and stood pat.

A stand-off: Australia thought the inning was over, Netherlands did not.

The umpires ruled in favour of the Dutch. Australia sent their squad back out in the field and Cooper Morgan to the mound. A pair of walks, another run, 3-1.

Australia had only one hit entering the seventh.

That changed immediately.

BJay Cooke led off with a double, Alex Skepton had a pinch hit single and Ben Fierenzi drove in a run with a single to cut the lead to 3-2.

But that was all they could muster. The next three batters went down in order.

FINAL: Netherlands 3, Australia 2.

Australia has been eliminated from the Super Round at the Under 23 World Cup after a 4-1 loss to China.

The defeat drops Australia’s record to 3-2, unable to win any tiebreakers to break them into the top three of Pool A.

China’s victory was powered by a remarkable starting pitching performance and a three-run fifth inning where the ball never left the infield.

Full credit to Chinese starter Zhao Wei who went 6.0 innings allowing four hits and one run.

The fifth inning started with the scores tied at one.

China scored all fifth inning runs without a ball leaving the infield.

A dropped third strike, two walks, a passed ball, an infield bunt and a ground ball all amounted to three runs and a 4-1 lead late.

Before that, it looked like a pitcher’s duel.

Ky Jackson allowed just one hit and walked only two batters in his 4.2 innings of work, but China were certainly opportunistic.

Zak Skinner had the lone RBI for Australia.

Australia will await their consolation round schedule from September 12-14. They will begin the round with a 2-0 record with wins over Great Britain and Colombia.

BOX SCORE: Stats and Play-by-Play – Australia vs China 

AUSTRALIA’s U23 WORLD CUP HUB: Follow Team Australia 

RECAP

China sent Wei Zhao to the mound following his impressive performance vs Japan where he allowed just three hits.

He retired the first four batters he faced. The run was broken up by a triple to Jo Stevens, his sixth hit of the tournament, and an RBI-single to Zak Skinner put Australia up 1-0.

China responded with a Yi Zhou solo shot on the first hit of the second inning against starter Ky Jackson.

Both pitchers were otherwise brilliant in the early stages.

Through four innings, Ky Jackson retired twelve of the first 13 batters, with four strikeouts and no walks.

Wei Zhao retired 15 of 18 through five innings with five punch outs.

They matched each other blow-for-blow.

Until the fifth inning for China. They scored three runs without hitting a ball out of the infield.

A dropped third strike and pair of walks put two runners on with one out.

A ground ball to third base scored a run to give China a 2-1 lead with two away in the fifth.

It spelled the end of the afternoon for Jackson, who finished with a final line of 4.2 innings, one hit, two walks, five strikeouts and three earned runs.

Will Sherriff came in to relieve, but his first pitch slipped away from Zak Skinner, scoring another Chinese run from third. The next run came off an infield bunt single.

4-1.

Sherriff pitched a clean seventh inning.

Australia was unable to muster any more with the bat.

In a game with a combined 22 hits and 25 runs, a last inning defensive sequence proved to be the biggest moment in Australia’s 13-12 victory over Great Britain at the Under 23 World Cup.

Australia led 5-0, 10-4 and 13-8 at different moments of the game.

But every time Australia looked like they were about to pull away, Great Britain kept fighting back.

Welcome to your information hub for Australia’s journey at the 2024 Under 23 World Cup.

Tournament Dates: September 6-15 in Shaoxing, China

Here you will find roster information, behind-the-scenes stories, schedule, streaming links, scores and recaps.

WBSC Official World Cup Page: Click here.

Australia is in Pool A with Colombia, Puerto Rico, China, Japan and Great Britain. The top three teams advance to the super-round. Standings.

Australia finished fourth in Pool A with a 3-2 record and played in the Placement Round for valuable World Ranking Points.

Overall, Australia finishes ninth.

Schedule, Scores & Streaming

Watch all games on the WBSC streaming service Gametime.Sport. 

View Australia’s final stats here. 

PLACEMENT ROUND SCHEDULE / SCORES
Records against teams from your original group carry over to the Placement Round. In this case, wins vs Colombia and Great Britain cross over. Standings below.

Netherlands 3 def Australia 2 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

Chinese Taipei 4 def Australia 3 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

Australia 9 def South Africa 2 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

FIRST ROUND – GROUP STAGES

– Game 1: Australia 4 def Colombia 2 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

– Game 2: Australia 5 def Puerto Rico 4 (extra innings) | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

– Game 3: Japan 4 def Australia 1 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

– Game 4: Australia 13 def Great Britain 12 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

– Game 5: China 4 def Australia 1 | RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS | BOX SCORE |

Subscribe for a tournament pass for the Under 23 World Cup on Gamete.Sport

Current Standings

via WBSC website, top three teams from each pool advance to Super Round Sept 12-15

PLACEMENT ROUND STANDINGS

Netherlands  3-1
Chinese Taipei 3-1
Australia  2-2
Colombia 2-2
South Africa 1-2
Great Britain 0-3

Final Standings of Pool Play

POOL A FINAL STANDINGS

1. Puerto Rico 4-1
2. Japan 4-1
3. China 3-2
—

4. Australia 3-2
5. Colombia 1-4
6. Great Britain 0-5

POOL B FINAL STANDINGS 

1.  Nicaragua 5-0
2. Venezuela 4-1
3. South Korea 3-2
—

4. Netherlands 2-3
5. Chinese Taipei 1-4
6. South Africa 0-5

Stories

RECAP September 10 – Australia eliminated from U23 medal contention with loss to China

RECAP September 9 – Defense makes play when it mattered the most in Australia’s 13-12 win over Great Britain

RECAP September 8 – Four fifth inning runs paces Japan to 4-1 win over Australia

RECAP September 7 – Australia wins extra innings classic over Puerto Rico

RECAP September 6 – Australia battles their way back to a 4-2 victory over Colombia

About Colombia: Click here to learn about the Colombian team

September 4 – Zak Elvy added to Australia’s World Cup Roster ahead of Friday start

September 1 – Who are Australia’s twelve professional players at the Under 23 World Cup & what lessons can they bring to the team?

August 30 – Conor Myles & Lachlan Brook added to Team Australia’s roster

August 27 – Meet & Hear from Australia’s college players ready to announce themselves at the U23 World Cup

August 22 – Player Bios: Australia names U23 Roster

Roster

Australia named their 24-man roster in August. You can view the initial story here, with information about each player. Scroll down for the full list.

College Players: We talked to each of our college athletes on the team to find out how they’ve grown as a person and player.

Professional Players: We talked to the 12 players under pro contracts here

Manager: Shayne Watson
Pitching Coach: Graeme Lloyd
Assistant Coaches: Damian Shanahan & Nathan Van Der Linden
EO: Rob Moden