Report

South Africa, New Zealand begin with wins

A round-up of games held on August 12 during the Under-19 World Cup 2012

Quinton de Kock made 95 off 93 balls in South Africa's win over Bangladesh  •  ICC/Getty

Quinton de Kock made 95 off 93 balls in South Africa's win over Bangladesh  •  ICC/Getty

Bangladesh started the tournament with a win on Saturday but could not back it up on Sunday, beaten comprehensively by South Africa at Allan Border Field in Brisbane. Quinton de Kock showed why he has already made a name for himself at first-class level for Gauteng, striking 95 at better than a run a ball after the South Africans were sent in by Bangladesh. Theunis de Bruyn also made a valuable contribution of 63 and by the time their partnership was broken, South Africa were 170 for 3. The rest of the South Africans chipped in and took the total on to 294 for 8, despite three wickets each for the spinners Noor Hossain and Nasum Ahmed.
The chase began poorly for Bangladesh as Corné Dry removed both openers within the first four overs. Only three batsmen passed 20 in the Bangladesh innings and after a 58-run third-wicket stand between Nurul Hasan (27) and the captain Anamal Haque (39), both of whom fell to Vincent Moore, there was little else for Bangladesh to celebrate. Al-Amin made 33 but wickets kept falling and Bangladesh were dismissed for 161 in the 35th over, leaving them on the wrong end of a 133-run defeat.
There was more bad news for Bangladesh when the batsman Asif Ahmed was reprimanded for showing dissent at the umpire's decision.
England sealed a comfortable seven-wicket win over Ireland at Endeavour Park after bowling out the opposition for just 109. Left-arm seamer Reece Topley was among the wickets again, picking up three for 14 in a nine-over spell that included four maidens. Ireland, after being put in, began slowly and slowed down further as they lost wickets regularly. Only three of their batsmen managed to reach double-figures, with a highest of 28 from Tyrone Kane. Andy McBrine made 16 and captain George Dockrell contributed 26. Each of England's six bowlers was economical and five among them bagged at least a wicket each.
England lost their openers early in the chase but were steadied by a 32-run stand between Ben Foakes and Craig Overton. Foakes fell with the score on 54, but Overton, joined by Aneesh Kapil who made an unbeaten 32, helped see his team through as the game was sealed in the 37th over. The win was England's first in this competition, having been beaten by Australia on the opening day.
New Zealand began their World Cup campaign with a win over Scotland at the John Blanck Oval, set up by a century from Will Young and a collective bowling effort. Asked to bat, New Zealand were given a solid platform thanks to an 88-run third-wicket stand between Young (115) and Robert O'Donnell who made a half-century. Young scored better than run a ball and smashed five fours and three sixes in his knock. New Zealand were 179 for 3 at one stage but slipped to 247 for 9. Ruaidhri Smith picked up three wickets.
Scotland punched above their weight in the chase and were in a good position at 86 for 2 in the 19th over. They were then reduced to 110 for 5 but a half-century from Freddie Coleman and his 57-run stand with Henry Edwards gave his team some hope. But both were dismissed in the same over by medium-pacer Connor Neynens, who finished with 3 for 24 in ten overs. Legspinner Ish Sodhi also picked up three wickets and Scotland were bowled out for 208.