Hong Kong U19 beat Canterbury U17 by 41 runs in World Cup warm-up

The Hong Kong Under-19 team got their tour to New Zealand for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2010 off to a positive start with a 41-run victory over the Canterbury Under-17 team. The match was played in fine but windy and cool conditions at Burwood Park in Christchurch.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Hong Kong were in early trouble when skipper James Atkinson was dismissed LBW to the 5th ball of the innings. Mark Chapman survived a couple of chances but he was unable to make the most of those let-offs and he fell to a catch at second slip for 1 in the fifth over. Meanwhile Shakeel Haq was resolute at the other end, however he was struggling to pierce the field in the early stages and Hong Kong could only muster 18 runs in the first 10 overs for the loss of those 2 wickets.

With some early life in the wicket and a stiff easterly wind blowing across the ground, the ball was beating the bat regularly however the Canterbury boys were unable to grasp a number of early chances that came their way. Shakeel's struggles continued and he was the third to fall with his score on 6 in the 15th over with Hong Kong's total on 38. Irfan Ahmed was another benefactor of an early let-off but this time the Canterbury team paid dearly for their poor catching. Once Irfan had settled at the crease, he started playing a number of attacking shots. However after smashing a huge six off L Davidson, a rush-of-blood saw him bowled as he tried to repeat the stroke two balls later. His entertaining innings of 60 came from 67 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. Ashish Gadhia (17) and Nizakat Khan (9) also fell to poorly judged shots and Hong Kong was uneasily placed at 105-6 at the end of 30 overs.

Hong Kong's wicket-keeper Waqas Barkat was joined at the crease by Alex Smith and the two batsmen set about consolidating the team's position. After a cautious start, both players grew in confidence as they began unleashing a number of cracking shots. Together they compiled an excellent partnership worth 128 runs off 115 balls. Both batsmen were eventually run out in the late charge for runs in the dying overs. Waqas hit five boundaries in his 52 from 54 balls while Alex hit ten fours and one six in his score of 74 from just 66 balls. Aizaz Khan was the only other wicket to fall as Hong Kong posted a total of 243-9 from their 50 overs.

For the Canterbury Under-17 team, E Nuttall and J Tucker bowled a probing line in the early stages and they were unlucky not to pick up more wickets. Both bowlers eventually picked up two wickets each from their nine overs. L Davidson also claimed two victims with his off-spinners while J Harper was the other wicket taker.

Aizaz Khan and Niaz Ali opened the bowling for Hong Kong and they both enjoyed early successes. Left-arm speedster Niaz struck first as he cleaned bowled A McCracken from the last ball of the second over while Aizaz did the same to M Davidson off the 5th ball of the third over. The Canterbury skipper Arnie Yugaraja joined B Ward and the two batsmen settled the innings with a composed partnership of 112 runs although it consumed 160 balls. Yugaraja was eventually dismissed when he was stumped by Waqas Barkat from the bowling of Shakeel Haq for a well compiled 58 from 74 balls, including 8 boundaries.

A further stand between Ward and T Hampton-Matehe worth 44 runs from 78 balls lifted the score to 161 before Hampton-Matehe was bowled by Niaz Ali for 20. Niaz then had Ward caught by Asif Khan at the end of the same over - Ward's 53 runs having taken 126 balls, including three boundaries. K McClure was next to go as he was unable to cope with the pace of Irfan Ahmed and he fell LBW for 1. L Davidson was then brilliantly run-out by a direct hit from the outfield by Asif Khan as the batsmen scampered back for a second run. Aizaz Khan had J Tapper caught by Niaz Ali and T van Woerkom hit his wicket after fending off a short ball from Irfan Ahmed. Alex Tucker wrapped up the innings when he had J Harper caught behind by Waqas Barkat from the 4th ball of the 50th over with Canterbury U17's score on 202. The final victory margin was 41 runs.

Niaz Ali was the best of the Hong Kong bowlers as he claimed 3-35 from his ten over spell. His new ball partner Aizaz Khan picked up 2-28 from eight overs while Irfan Ahmed claimed 2-27 from 8 lively overs. The other successful bowlers were Shakeel Haq, who claimed 1-39 from his ten over spell, and Alex Tucker who picked up 1-37 from 4.4 overs.

Scorecard: Hong Kong Under-19 v. Canterbury Under-17

Overall it was a pretty good workout for the Hong Kong Under-19 team in the first match of the tour. Alex Smith, Irfan Ahmed and Waqas Barkat played extremely well to rescue Hong Kong's innings after a nervous start and all the bowlers bowled well in unfamiliar conditions. Hong Kong's fielding and catching was solid.

Hong Kong's next match will be against a Canterbury XI at the same venue on 7th January. The team then travels to Rangiora to play the USA U19 team on 8th January.

Hong Kong will play two further warm-up games against Sri Lanka U19 (11th January at Hagley Park) and Canada U19 (12th January at Rangiora).

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