Match 4, Potchefstroom, January 20, 2024, 01:30 PM
174/10(49.2ov)
178/3(26.2ov)
England Under-19 beat Scotland Under-19 by 7 wickets
Right then, that is it for the game. England Under-19 have won it comprehensively. The action continues as we have a double-header on Sunday, the 21st of January. It will be Sri Lanka U19 versus Zimbabwe U19 and New Zealand U19 versus Nepal U19. Both games will begin at 1.30 p.m. IST (8 a.m. GMT). Do join us for the early build-up as well. Until then, take care, and cheers!
Ben McKinney is the player of the match for his phenomenal captain's knock. He says that it was a bit tough early on, but it got better afterward. It adds that the early partnership helped set the tone, and they just kept it simple. He says that Jaydn Denly was excellent at the start. Ends by saying that it feels good to start the campaign with a win.
Presentation coming up...
Earlier in the match, Scotland scored a total of 174 runs. They struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals, preventing them from converting good starts into big scores. Despite a sedate partnership between skipper Owen Gould and opener Jamie Dunk, they couldn't accelerate the scoring and lacked boundaries. England's bowlers executed their plan effectively. The pacers set the tone, while the spinners, Luc Benkenstein and Farhan Ahmed, picked up three wickets each with tight and economical bowling, restricting the Scottish team to a modest total.
To be honest, there is not much to write about the Scotland Under-19 bowlers. They were under the pump from the word go. They will be disappointed with their effort, as they failed to bowl the proper line and lengths. They will be hoping to bounce back from this and perform well in their following games. Ibrahim Faisal was the only bowler who picked up two wickets, and Adi Hegde chipped in with one. The rest of the bowlers were wicketless.
Well, we always saw that coming! England Under-19 came in as favorites in this game, and they certainly proved it. They were off to a flying start and never looked in trouble throughout the game. It was Jaydn Denly and the skipper, Ben McKinney, who ran a havoc over the Scotland Under-19 bowlers. The former was dismissed at 40. Noah Thain then played a cameo of 22 runs but fell for a short ball. Ben McKinney was dismissed in the end for 88 but he made sure the job was well done.
In over# 27
4
0
Adi Hegde 36/1(5.2)
26.2
4
FOUR! There it is! England Under-19 WIN! A comprehensive performance altogether. Luc Benkenstein finishes off in style. Another juicy half-volley on offer around off and he just lofts it over mid off to end the things in style. England defeat their neighbours by a huge margin as they win by 7 wickets and 23.4 overs remaining.
26.1
.
Just full and touch outside off, Luc Benkenstein shimmies down the track and drives it to covers. No run.
In over# 26
4
1
0
0
1
1
Qasim Khan 34/0(4)
25.6
4
FOUR! Shot! A juicy half volley on off and Hamza Shaikh clubs it nicely inside out along the carpet for a boundary through the covers.
25.5
1
On a length around full and middle, Luc Benkenstein sweeps it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
25.4
.
Fuller and on off, Luc Benkenstein plays it towards mid off.
25.3
.
Fuller and on off, Luc Benkenstein defends it well.
25.2
1
Identical ball outside off, Hamza Shaikh drives it through the point for a single.
25.1
1
Full and outside off, driven to the covers for a single.
In over# 25
1
0
0
4
0W
4
Adi Hegde 32/1(5)
24.6
1
Just short and on off, Luc Benkenstein drives it off the back foot towards covers for a single.
24.5
.
Employs the reverse sweep on a fullish delivery around leg, he misses to connect that one and wears on his pads.
24.4
.
Full and on off, Luc Benkenstein defends it back to the bowler.