ICC U19 World Cup 2020, Day 9 Round Up

Bryce Parsons and Luke Beaufort reproduced their impressive double act once again as they guided South Africa through to the Super League quarter finals in the ICC U19 World Cup. A partnership of 152 runs between the pair ensured South Africa posted a commanding total of 299 for eight before reducing United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 112 for three.

Rain then forced the match to be called off and South Africa were handed a 23-run victory by the DLS method to help the Junior Proteas finish second in Group D behind Afghanistan. Elsewhere, England and Zimbabwe both picked up their first wins of this year’s competition while Sri Lanka raced to a nine-wicket triumph in their shortened game against Japan.

Another dominant display with the bat from Bryce Parsons, along with Luke Beaufort, was the catalyst as South Africa qualified for the next stage in Bloemfontein. Parsons and Beaufort recorded fine half-centuries during their 152-run partnership to help South Africa post 299 for eight before three wickets from home side in the second innings and two rain delays restricted the UAE to 112 for three as the match was called off.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat at the Mangaung Oval, with Jonathan Bird (43) and his new opening partner Khanya Cotani (19) getting the hosts off to a solid start with a 63-run stand. Despite both falling in quick succession, captain Parsons and Beaufort continued their notable form when batting together, putting on a game-changing, third-wicket partnership to take control of the match.

Both players brought up their fifties, with Parsons following up his maiden century in the previous game with a measured 84 off 83 balls while Beaufort raised his bat for a Youth One-Day International career-high 85 off 104 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes.

Cameos from Tyrese Karelse (26), Jack Lees (15) and Pheko Moletsane (12) helped push the Junior Proteas to just one shy of the 300-run mark and a formidable total. Sanchit Sharma (three for 57) and Ayran Lakra (three for 48) were the standout bowlers for the UAE.

In their chase, the UAE shot out of the blocks, batting at more than seven runs per over before they were slowed down by crucial wickets from Achille Cloete (one for 27), Parsons (one for 22) and Moletsane (one for 14). Jonathan Figy (36 not out) and Kai Smith (18 not out) batted well to rebuild the innings for the away side before the inclement weather had the final say.

South Africa were triumphant over the UAE by 23 runs thanks to the DLS method after the match was abandoned with only 23.5 overs bowled in the second innings.

Brief Scores

South Africa 299-8, 50 overs (Luke Beaufort 85, Bryce Parsons 84; Aryan Lakra 3-48)

United Arab Emirates 112-3, 23.5 overs (Jonathan Figy 36, Vriitya Aravind 31; Pheko Moletsane 1-14)

England finally win their first game of the World Cup

George Hill and Hamidullah Qadri both claimed four wickets apiece as former champions England secured a first win of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup with an eight-wicket triumph over Nigeria at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley. The 1998 winners, who have endured a disappointing tournament to date in a tough Group B alongside the already qualified West Indies and Australia, delivered a great performance.

Their two star bowlers demolished the African competition debutants for just 58 in 27.5 overs before Sam Young struck 39 off 33 balls to complete a consolation victory with 234 balls to spare.

Man-of-the-match seamer Hill claimed a brilliant four for 12 in 7.5 overs, while off-break bowler Qadri collected a neat four for 24 in his seven overs. Hill had a point to prove after being left out of the side for England’s first two games and his performance with the ball certainly achieved just that as he rattled through Nigeria’s batting attack.

Nigeria, themselves searching for a first win at the finals, had won the toss and opted to bat, but only captain Sylvester Okpe (16 off 39 balls) managed to record double figures as their batsmen failed to cope with the superior English bowling.

Opener Young then ensured a relatively straightforward chase for England, which saw them ease to their target in just 11 overs with Tom Clark and Jordan Cox the only two wickets to fall. The two sides will now move over to the Plate section of the tournament that begins next week.

Brief Scores

Nigeria 58 all out, 27.5 overs (Sylvester Okpe 16; George Hill 4-12, Hamidullah Qadri 4-24)

England 64-2, 11 overs (Sam Young 39 not out, Tom Clark 11; Rasheed Abolarin 1-11)

Zimbabwe go past Scotland comfortably

Tadiwanashe Marumani’s blistering half-century helped Zimbabwe end the first phase of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup positively as they secured their opening win of the finals, beating Scotland by eight wickets at the Witrand Oval in Potchefstroom.

In a match reduced to 42 overs per side on account of the weather, it was the African side who made all the early plays, first through an excellent bowling effort by medium-pacer Sakhumuzi Ndlela, who delivered a return of four for 27 in seven overs.

His numbers helped dismiss the Scots for 140 in 37.2 overs, with only Kess Sajjad (68 off 71 balls) making any meaningful contribution. Marumani then plundered four sixes and 12 fours in a fine 55-ball assault that took his side to victory with 149 balls to spare.

It was Zimbabwe’s first win of Group C and one that ensured they finish third in the pool below winners Bangladesh and runners-up Pakistan. After a valiant showing in their previous game when they lost by 38 runs to Pakistan, they were emphatic winners in this game – helped in particular by Marumani and Ndlela.

The latter was hugely impressive with the ball, almost single-handedly reducing Scotland to 18 for four and then 42 for five, before Sajjad and Daniel Cairns (28 of 74 balls) helped them recover slightly to set an underwhelming target.

Brief Scores

Scotland 140 all out, 37.2 overs (Kess Sajjad 68, Daniel Cairns 28; Sakhumuzi Ndlela 4-27)

Zimbabwe 146-2, 17.1 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 85, Milton Shumba 37 not out; Jasper Davidson 1-17)

Sri Lanka defeat Japan in rain-affected encounter

Sri Lanka beat Japan as they raced to a nine-wicket victory in their shortened ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Group A fixture at the North West University Oval, Potchefstroom. While there was bright sunshine throughout the day, the match could only begin after lunch due to a wet outfield with the match going on to last less than two hours.

Japan were bowled out for 43 in a match reduced to 22 overs per side – a target that the Sri Lankans reached after 8.3 overs for the loss of just one wicket. One of Japan’s batsmen reached double figures in their 18.3 overs at the crease with Debashish Sahoo’s top-scoring with nine for the associate member nation.

For Sri Lanka, bowlers Dilshan Madushanka, Dilum Thilakarathna, Ashian Daniel and Navod Paranavithana all shared in the wickets as they picked up two apiece. They go through to the Plate stages starting next week alongside Japan, while India and New Zealand both qualify for the Super League. Sri Lankan captain Nipun Perera said that his charges were aiming for a highest finish possible in this year’s edition.

Brief Scores

Japan 43 all out, 18.3 overs (Debashish Sahoo 9; Ashian Daniel 2/11, Navod Paranavithana 2/2)

Sri Lanka 47-1, 8.3 overs (Ravindu Rashantha 19 not out, Mohamed Shamaaz 7 not out; Kento Ota-Dobell 1-15)