NZ U-19s glide into quarters
New Zealand have set up a quarterfinal against Afghanistan at the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
They beat South Africa by 71 runs in their final pool match at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Saturday, their third win in as many games.
Their batting effort was the least impressive of their three so far, but South Africa never looked like chasing down a target of 280.
Openers Jakob Bhula and Rachin Ravindra combined for an 108-run stand. Bhula fell for 44, while Ravindra went on to top score with 76.
A slight stumble saw the Kiwis slump to 174-6, but Dale Phillips – the younger brother of Black Cap Glenn – and Max Chu combined for a 77-run partnership that proved decisive in the end.
Phillips made 43 and Chu 35 as New Zealand finished with 279-8 from their 50 overs.
Matthew Fisher struck in the first over with the ball and South Africa quickly found themselves well behind the asking rate.
Fisher grabbed another in the third over, and after Ravindra picked up two with his left-arm spin, South Africa were in a hole at 76-4, with the halfway point fast approaching.
Hermann Rolfes had remained a rock while his teammates fell around him, and he combined with Jean du Plessis for an 106-run fifth-wicket stand, but all the while the New Zealanders’ grip on the game grew tighter.
Left-arm spinner Ben Lockrose eventually got Rolfes for 108, using his drift to generate a catch down the ground, and from there the Kiwis charged home.
Du Plessis fell to Bhula for 54, and the rest of the tail offered no resistance
Ravindra finished with 4-32, while Fisher had 2-36 and Bhula 2-5, as South Africa were all out for 208 in the 47th over.
As a result, New Zealand finished top in pool A and now face Afghanistan, who finished second in pool D after being upset by Ireland in their final match on Saturday.
In the day’s other matches, England and the West Indies had big wins over Canada and Kenya respectively.
The three other quarterfinals pit England against Australia, India against Bangladesh, and Pakistan against South Africa.
New Zealand’s quarterfinal is on Thursday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.