Reality check for Hong Kong U19 in second World Cup warm-up match

The Hong Kong Under-19 team received a reminder of just how hard their task will be at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2010 when they were soundly beaten by the National Championship winning Canterbury Under-19 team at Burwood Park today. The Hong Kong team had a sloppy day in the field and they were unable to chase down the home team's impressive total of 269-7, despite excellent half-centuries from Shakeel Haq and Harmeet Singh, playing in his debut match for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong won the toss again but decided to bowl first on the same pitch used for the match played on Tuesday against the Canterbury Under-17's. Despite overcast conditions, there was little assistance available to the Hong Kong bowlers and the Canterbury Under-19 openers made the most of the flat track. The openers batted positively, mixing quick singles with the occasional boundary, and they brought up their fifty partnership in the 11th over. The excellent Aizaz Khan made the initial breakthrough for Hong Kong as he induced an edge from J Richards (21) with wicket-keeper Waqas Barkat claiming the catch. Chris McGoldrick continued to play aggressively and he was the benefactor of a period of poor fielding during which Hong Kong grassed four simple catches and a number of other half-chances.

Irfan Ahmed picked up his first wicket of the match when C McConchie (20) fell to an excellent tumbling catch by wicket-keeper Barkat. McGoldrick was joined at the crease by Jeff Case and the two compiled a polished partnership worth 64 runs in ten overs. The introduction of spin made little difference, with McGoldrick hitting Nizakat Khan for consecutive sixes in his first over. Hong Kong skipper James Atkinson persevered with Nizakat and he was rewarded when McGoldrick holed out in the deep for a well struck 77 from 89 balls with the score on 156 after 28.3 overs. Case followed shortly afterwards for 40 from 48 balls.

A flurry of wickets, including two wickets in two balls by Irfan Ahmed, saw Hong Kong peg back the Canterbury team to 193-7 after 41.2 overs but an excellent unbroken stand worth 76 runs between Hamish Teale (67 from 55 balls) and M Henry (13 from 18 balls) lifted the total to 269-7 after 50 overs. For Hong Kong, Irfan Ahmed claimed 3-56 from his ten over spell while Nizakat Khan picked up 2-28 from seven overs, despite conceding 13 runs from his first over. Aizaz Khan bowled well and he was unlucky to only claim 1-41 from his ten over spell.

A few drops of rain fell either side of the lunch break and by the time Hong Kong's openers made their way out to the middle, a stiff breeze was blowing across the ground. The tempestuous weather saw the wind direction change dramatically a number of times during the afternoon but despite corresponding fluctuations in temperature, there was no disruption to play.

Hong Kong's innings got off to another poor start as James Atkinson received a vicious delivery from Matt McEwan, son of former New Zealand cricket international Paul McEwan, that he could only fend to Canterbury Under-19 skipper Matt Laffey at first slip. Vikash Gope edged McEwan to the keeper for nought and when Ashish Gadhia was trapped LBW by McEwan for 6, Hong Kong was teetering at 30-3 after 8.3 overs. A steadying partnership worth 47 runs between Shakeel Haq and Irfan Ahmed lifted the score to 77 before Irfan (26 from 37 balls) was trapped LBW by off-spinner Laffey.

Shakeel continued to bat well but he was unable to find a steady partner as wickets tumbled at the other end. Nizakat Khan (6) and Waqas Barkat (17) fell to Laffey's spinners and Mark Chapman (0) charged rashly at Hamish Teale and was caught behind. Harmeet Singh, playing his first match for Hong Kong, provided the necessary resistance and together with Shakeel, the two moved the score on to 139 before Shakeel was bowled by speedster Jarrod Roberts shortly after bringing up his half-century. Shakeel's 55 runs were scored off 91 balls and included 7 boundaries.

Harmeet Singh found another able partner in Aizaz Khan and the pair put together Hong Kong's best partnership of the innings, with 53 runs scored in under 8 overs. In an unusual incident, Roberts bowled two dangerous full tosses in one over to Harmeet (the second one being dispatched to the fence) and the bowler was ejected by the umpires. The remaining 3 balls of the 38th over had to be bowled by Jeff Case. Harmeet was eventually dismissed for an excellent 51 from 47 balls with 9 boundaries.

A brace of boundaries by Niaz Ali lifted Hong Kong over the 200 mark but a mix-up saw the last pair of batsmen stranded at the same end of the pitch and Aizaz Khan (14) was run out. Hong Kong's innings came to a close after 45.4 overs with the score on 205.

For the Canterbury Under-19's Matt McEwan claimed 3-48 from a hostile ten overs while skipper Matt Laffey picked up 3-28 with his off-spinners.

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

Hong Kong will have plenty to work on after this match following a poor start in both innings. However they won't have much time to dwell on their loss as their next match will be against the USA U19 team at Rangiora 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) before the tournament proper kicks off on 15th January.

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