Australia Under-19 captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to bat on a flat wicket and under clear blue skies with Australia going on to amass 263 in 49.2 overs.
As good as the batting was at times, it was the early work of the Australian quicks who ran through the USA top and middle order before some late resistance helped the minnows post a respectable 154 in 41.2 overs.
Marsh said it was nice to come away with a solid win, but said there were still plenty of areas his team could improve ahead of tomorrow's clash with Ireland. "It was obviously good to get a win first up. Wins are habits so we're going to go into next game with some good confidence," the 18-year-old said.
"I think we've still got a bit of work to do if we want to beat the better sides but to start with a good win today was great. We can make a bit of improvement in our middle overs with both bat and ball; I think we've got a few areas we can improve but we'll be right for next game."
Opener Tom Beaton got the innings off to a flying start as Australia moved to 1-107 at drinks, with Beaton finishing as Australia's top scorer with 73 from 76 deliveries, and the Man of the Match award. Beaton's partner at the top of the order was Nic Maddinson who looked in sparkling touch early, racing to 32 from just 37 deliveries before being stumped as the pair put on 81 for the opening stand.
Post-match, Marsh highlighted just how important it is in limited overs matches to get off to a solid start and was pleased that both openers were working well together.
"In one-day cricket it's important to get off to a good start, with both bat and ball, and I think we did that today," Marsh said. "They've formed a great relationship not only as friends but as an opening partnership now and if they can continue doing that for us at the top of the order it's fantastic."
All-rounder Tim Armstrong made an important contribution during Australia's middle overs, making 39 as he guided the side to a large total with some help from the lower order.
Australia's big quicks then fired early, making light work of the USA top order and Marsh is hoping Alister McDermott (4-29) and Josh Hazlewood (3-46) can carry their good form into tomorrow's match.
"They were ready and raring to go. It's been a pretty long build up to this match and it was great for Macca (Alister McDermott) and Joshy (Josh Hazlewood) to get a few early and hopefully they can continue that," Marsh said.
McDermott was deadly early, steaming into the breeze and hitting great lines and lengths, snaring the first three wickets, before Hazlewood joined the action. The lanky New South Welshman grabbed two in a row to be on a hat-trick and left USA reeling at 5-25.
Hazlewood missed the hat-trick but snared his third wicket only a few balls later, with McDermott snaring his fourth the next over as USA slumped to 7-28.
However, a lower-order revival helped USA to 154, as number six Azurdeen Mohammad (70) and number eight Asad Ghous (30) combined to put on a 68-run partnership.
Mohammad then combined with number 10, Hammad Shahid (nine not out) to put on 58 for the for the 9th wicket to frustrate the Australians even further as the US hung on for 41.2 overs.
Leggie Adam Zampa did the damage against the lower order as the 17-year-old from New South Wales snared 3-21 from 8.2 overs.
Australia's next match is against Ireland tomorrow, before the final pool match against South Africa on Wednesday.
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