James Atkinson leads Hong Kong U19 to stunning victory over USA U19

Hong Kong Under-19's skipper James Atkinson scored a sublime century to lift his side to a stunning six wicket victory over USA Under-19 in an ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2010 warm-up match played at the delightful "The Willows" Cricket Club ground in Loburn, North Canterbury. An excellent bowling performance by the Hong Kong U19 bowlers limited USA U19 to a modest total of 182-9 on an ideal batting track but the Hong Kong U19 batsmen had little trouble as they streaked to victory in just 32.2 overs.

Atkinson won the toss for the third successive match and he had no hesitation in asking the opposition to bat first on a flat but well grassed track that looked like it would offer something to the bowlers. Looks can be deceiving and it was USA Under-19 that got away to the better start. Openers Steven Taylor and Azurdeen Mohammed played and missed a number of times but they also managed to find the boundary with the occasional attacking shot. An opening stand of 28 was eventually broken when Aizaz Khan induced an edge from Taylor (12) and Waqas Barkat snared the regulation catch. Max Tucker then claimed the wickets of Mohammed (10) and the dangerman Ryan Corns (8) and the USA Under-19s were suddenly under pressure at 3-52 after 16 overs. A period of consolidation followed as Gregory Sewdial (19) and skipper Shiva Vashishat (11) set about building the total. Their partnership was broken when Shakeel Haq claimed both batsmen in successive overs. The USA 100 was finally passed in the 31st over but by that stage the top five batters were back in the pavilion.

When Saqib Saleem (9) was run-out by Waqas Barkat, it looked like Hong Kong would be chasing a small target. But Sammi Siddiqui (37), Regis Burton (29) and Muhammad Ghous (25) had other ideas and all three scored well by putting the Hong Kong fielders under pressure by running quickly between the wickets, forcing a number of mistakes. Siddiqui's innings was finally ended by a superb throw from the outfield by Max Tucker as the American batsmen scampered back for a second run. Burton continued the frantic running but when he tried to reverse sweep a ball, he got himself into a tangle and became the third run-out victim of the innings. Nizakat Khan snared a good catch in the deep off the bowling of Alex Smith and the USA innings was closed at 182-9 after their 50 overs.

For Hong Kong, skipper Atkinson took the opportunity to give all of his bowlers a good workout. Nine different bowlers were used but it was Max Tucker (2-16 from 6 overs) and Shakeel Haq (2-16 from 8 overs) who claimed the best figures.

A rain shower passed over the ground during the lunch break and although the covers were briefly deployed, no disruption to play was experienced.

Hong Kong's reply got off to the worst possible start when Shakeel Haq was unable to deal with a short rising delivery and he gloved a simple catch to wicket-keeper Siddiqui. Harmeet Singh, promoted to the opening slot, was unable to reproduce the fireworks from yesterday and he fell with his personal score on 6 and the team total on 18 after 3.4 overs. The precarious position did not ruffle James Atkinson and he unleashed a flurry of delightful shots to send balls to the boundary at regular intervals. A short ball from spinner Ghous was duly dispatched over the pavilion, much to the delight of his Hong Kong team mates.

Ashish Gadhia was accumulating runs at a good clip and the together with Atkinson the pair built a match-winning partnership worth 156 runs. Atkinson struck his first 50 off just 40 balls and the 100 run partnership was raised off 98 balls. Atkinson gave a tough chance when the team score was on 132 but that was the only blemish in an otherwise near faultless performance.

Shortly after Ashish brought up his half-century, he scooped a return catch to Ghous - his innings of 59 took 86 balls and included 7 boundaries. The 156-run partnership had taken just 157 balls and the effort had lifted Hong Kong to the verge of a brilliant victory. Atkinson's fine innings came to a close when he was caught behind as he tried to finish the match in style. His 100 came off just 80 balls and included 14 boundaries and one six. Irfan Ahmed and Nizakat Khan were left to finish the match and they duly achieved that without further loss.

Scorecard: Hong Kong Under-19 v. USA Under-19

The Hong Kong team must now wait a few days before its next match which will be against Sri Lanka U19 at Hagley Park on 11th January 2010. Between now and then, the team will undertake further training and participate on a number of tournament related events as directed by the ICC. Hong Kong's first match in the competition will take place on 16th January 2010 against England Under-19 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

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