ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020: New Zealand U19 Stuns West Indies U19 With Superb Tail-Enders Batting

Jan 30, 2020 at 2:38 AM

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ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020: New Zealand U19 Stuns West Indies U19 With Superb Tail-Enders Batting

With the help of strong tail-enders batting, New Zealand U19 snatched a stunning two-wicket victory against West Indies U19 and advanced for the semi-final of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020. The Kiwi youngster Kristian Clarke hugely shined in this game with his incredible game-changing all-round performances as he won the Player of the Match award.

On Wednesday (29th January), New Zealand U19 and West Indies U19 met in the second quarter-final of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 at Benoni. The Caribbean youngsters decided to bat first after winning the toss. However, most of the West Indies batsmen struggled against the Kiwi bowlers.

While the Caribbean batsmen were struggling to reach the 20 runs mark, Kirk McKenzie played the most crucial role in that innings. The left-handed batsman scored 99 runs before he was retired hurt due to cramps in his leg.

New Zealand U19, West Indies U19
Kirk McKenzie (Image Credit: ICC)

Kevlon Anderson (33) and Antonio Morris (31) were the only other two Caribbean batsmen who scored 20+ runs in that innings. While once they were batting on 183/3, their batting faced massive collapse, and they were bowled out for 238 runs (47.5 overs). At the end of that innings, injured Kirk McKenzie again came to bat on 99 runs but was bowled on the very next ball without adding a run.

 

The Kiwi right-arm medium pacer Kristian Clarke (4/25) took four wickets. Also, Joey Field (2/52) and Jesse Tashkoff (2/35) bagged two wickets each.

New Zealand U19, West Indies U19
Image Credit: ICC

 

At one stage, New Zealand U19 were batting on 153/8

In reply, some young New Zealand batsmen got starts but failed to capitalise their innings to the big scores. So, New Zealand U19 were losing their wickets at regular intervals, and they were struggling on 153/8 at one stage.

However, Joey Field and Kristian Clarke stunned everyone with their brilliant batting performances and secured a remarkable victory by two wickets. While they had the 86 runs partnership for the unbroken ninth wicket, New Zealand U19 chased down that target with only two balls remaining (239/8 in 49.4 overs). While Field was batting on 38 runs off 58 balls, Clarke remained not out on 46 runs off 42 balls (3 fours and only sixer). Also, the West Indies lads dropped some crucial opportunities, including giving one life each to Clarke and Field during 43rd over.

The Caribbean left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (3/33) picked up three wickets while Matthew Forde (2/64) and Joshua James (2/45) scalped two wickets each in that second innings, but they just failed to win that game.

Image Credit: ICC

It is the fourth time when New Zealand U19 reached the semi-final of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Earlier, they played the semi-finals in 1998, 2008 and 2012 editions while they won only in 1998 editions. However, they finished the 1998 edition as the runners-up after losing the final against England U19.

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ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020: New Zealand U19 Stuns West Indies U19 With Superb Tail-Enders Batting
ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020: New Zealand U19 Stuns West Indies U19 With Superb Tail-Enders Batting

Jan 30, 2020, 2:38 AM


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