Jakob Bhula's 180 leads New Zealand to 436 and a crushing victory

New Zealand produced an immense batting performance against Kenya, their top three batsmen raining 14 sixes at Hagley Oval to rack up 436, the highest total of this Under-19 World Cup so far. The result was a formality after that, and with two wins in two games, the hosts have qualified for the quarter-finals. They will top Group A if they win their final match against South Africa.

Kenya were made to rue their decision to bowl first, as Jakob Bhula and Rachin Ravindra added the highest-ever first-wicket partnership of 245 in 35.5 overs. Ravindra made 117 off 101 balls before he was stumped. There was no respite for Kenya, though, as No. 3 Finn Allen cracked 90 off 40 balls, his six sixes giving him a strike rate of 225.

The score was 401 in 47 overs when Bhula was eventually dismissed for 180, the highest score in all Under-19 World Cups, off 144 balls. Allen was dismissed off the next ball, the first of the 48th over, and Kaylum Boshier was run out the delivery after that, meaning New Zealand had suddenly lost three wickets in three balls. Dale Phillips gave the innings a powerful finish, though, with 26 off 12 balls. Kenya used eight bowlers and not one of them went for under 6.50 runs an over.

Ravindra had a good outing with the ball too, dismissing Kenya opener Rene Were lbw in the sixth over, and then returning to trap the other one - Aman Gandhi - for 63 in the 35th over. New Zealand were able to take only four wickets, though, as Kenya batted their 50 overs to score 193.