Mixed results for international U19s in practice games

It was a day of mixed fortunes for Under-19 teams preparing for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand – with one win and two losses for the international sides against local selections in unofficial warm-up games today.

In their first warm-up match in Wellington, England comprehensively beat a strong Wellington A side. Dashing all-rounder Ben Stokes smashed 50 not out off just 32 balls to lead his side to a comfortable six wicket win with 13 overs to spare.

Chasing Wellington’s mediocre 213, New Zealand-born Stokes hit five fours and four sixes and shared in an unbeaten fifth wicket stand of 71 with Ateeq Javid (18).

England came out firing right from ball one with the bat as Joe Root (24) and Chris Dent (32) added 63 in quick time for the first wicket, making the most of some loose bowling from former BLACKCAP Mark Gillespie in his return to representative cricket. Vice captain James Vince (31) and Jos Buttler (44) put on 68 for the third wicket to set their side up.

Earlier in the day, Gloucestershire’s David Payne had the pleasure of dismissing star BLACKCAP Jesse Ryder – recovering from an abdominal injury – for just 11.

Payne was surprisingly humble over the dismissal of Ryder, who skied the ball to point where Dent took a very good catch in blustery conditions. “I think I had to just back myself and remember my plans and the team plans and hope that they would work, and in the end it did,” said Payne.

Payne finished with three for 20, Nathan Buck took three for 33 and Matthew Dunn claimed two for 34 for England.

Meanwhile in Christchurch, the USA lost to a Canterbury Under-17 selection. All out for 97, the USA couldn’t restrict the local side who comfortably reached 98 for five in 38 overs. That meant a five-wicket loss for the U19 CWC 15th seeds, who take on sixth seed Australia in their opening group match on 16 January at Queenstown.


Off-spinner Mohammed Asad Ghous was the pick of the USA bowlers capturing two wickets in an extremely miserly spell, with just 12 runs coming off his 10 overs.


Across town, Hong Kong made a good contest of their match against a Canterbury selection but fell short of their target. Canterbury compiled 269 for seven, with Hong Kong all-rounder Irfan Ahmed impressive with his right arm medium-fast deliveries, taking three for 56.


Chasing 270, Hong Kong lost early wickets and despite a gritty 26 from Irfan, found themselves at 113 for seven. A rearguard action from Aizaz Khan and number nine batsman Harmeet Singh added 53 for the ninth wicket, with Harmeet finishing with 51 off 47 deliveries. But with too few wickets left Hong Kong were all out for 205 in 45.4 overs.

Tomorrow’s practice match schedule sees Hong Kong and the USA square off in Christchurch, while Afghanistan play Canterbury A. In Auckland, Canada take on an Auckland XI while the West Indies play Northern districts A at Mount Maunganui.