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WI and India U19 advance to semis

Friday, February 27 2004

Super League

India and the West Indies progressed onward to join England and Pakistan in the U19 Cricket World Cup semi-finals, with victories today. Both teams scored well and recorded comfortable wins to the cause.

New tournament favourites, India beat Sri Lanka by 56 runs as their batsmen feasted yet again. The Indians won the toss and chose to bat first. Early wickets of Uthappa (9), Solanki (9) and Rayudu (1) fell, but the prolific Shikhar Dhawan went on to power his third century of the tournament, eventually run out for 146 from only 136 balls. Dhawan smote nineteen fours and two sixes in his effort and provided the major impetus for India's score of 316/5. Suresh Raina (54) played a crucial part in the rebuilding effort from the early score of 39/3 with a 134-run stand with Dhawan, but it was wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik who really forced the point home by smashing four sixes in his unbeaten 70 from only 39 balls.

Responding to the big total, Sri Lanka began superbly due an 83-run opening stand from 10.1 overs. The score improved to 142/2 in the 23rd overs, and Sri Lanka were very well placed to present a challenge to their opponents. However, regular wickets from there in inspired a collapse to 201/7 and then 260 all out. Upul Tharanga checked out his bat for 61 off 42 balls, but the next highest score was 37 by his opening partner Vithana. Praveen Gupta ended with economical figures of 8-0-25-3.

Earlier in the day and also in Dhaka, the West Indies and South Africa began their semi-final hunt. Upon winning the toss the West Indies U19s decided to take first strike. Opener Xavier Marshall, who missed his team's defeat at the hands of India a couple of days ago, returned to his fine form and he and Tishan Maraj (34) put on a brisk 93. Lendl Simmons entered at three and played a breezy 30 before he proved the second run out victim of the innings. Marshall continued onward and was finally out with the score at 196, as the fourth man down for a brilliant 106 from 133 balls. Jonathan Augustus (33) and Zamal Khan (26 not out) then ensured that the score reach a respectable level at 284/6.

The South African chase began positively and Vaughn van Jaarsveld (40) and Clint Bowyer (32) managed 67 for the first wicket, when Lionel Baker (1/29) struck. Divan van Wyk played a good innings of 41 at first drop and South Africa progressed to 163/6 when he was dismissed. Keagan Africa (14) didn't last very long until he was run out, and this introduced a 53-run effort between Mpumelelo Silwana (42) and Vince Pennazza (27) to leave South Africa needing 46 runs off 14 balls at the latter's dismissal. The innings ultimately closed well short at 250 all out and Ravi Rampaul proved the statistical pick of the bowlers with 3 for 41. Liam Sebastien and Rishi Bachan (2/46 each) were the next best.

Plate Competition

Australia U19 moved on to the Plate semi-finals with an ultimately easy win against Nepal. Four Australian bowlers grabbed two wickets each as Nepal were held to 154/9 from their fifty overs. In the chase Australia had some early problems and slipped to 62/4, but Adam Crosthwaite (50 not out) and Ahilen Beadle (49 not out) guided their team home with an unbroken 96-run partnership.

Meanwhile Scotland U19 beat their counterparts from Papua New Guinea to also move into the final four of the Plate competitions. Batting first, PNG collapsed for a mere 114, due Ross Lyons' 3 for 33. Chasing the total, Scotland lost only three wickets and finished with just under half their overs to spare.

Brief Score Summary:

Group 1: West Indies U19 vs. South Africa U19 (Fatullah Cricket Stadium)

West Indies U19: 284/6 (50 overs)
(Xavier Marshall 106 [133], Tishan Maraj 34 [34], Jonathan Augustus 33 [34])
(Roelof van der Merwe 2/30 [9])

South Africa U19: 250 ao (50 overs)
(Mpumelelo Silwana 42 [53], Divan van Wyk 41 [61], Vaughn van Jaarsveld 40 [43])
(Ravi Rampaul 3/41 [10], Liam Sebastien/Rishi Bachan 2/46 [10])

Man of the Match: Xavier Marshall

Result: West Indies won by 19 runs

Group 1: Sri Lanka U19 vs. India U19 (Bangabandhu National Stadium)

India U19: 316/5 (50 overs)
(Shikhar Dhawan 146 [136], Dinesh Karthik 70* [39], Suresh Raina 54 [88])
(Manoj Chanaka 3/63 [10])

Sri Lanka U19: 260 ao (46 overs)
(Upul Tharanga 61 [42])
(Praveen Gupta 3/25 [8])

Man of the Match: Shikhar Dhawan

Result: South Africa U19 won by 2 runs

Plate Competition

Championship 1: Australia U19 vs. Nepal U19 (Chittagong Divisional Stadium)

Nepal U19: 154/9 (50 overs)
(Paras Khadka 33 [99])
(CS Huckett/M Henriques/SNJ O'Keefe/TD Paine 2 each)

Australia U19: 158/4 (36.2 overs)
(Adam Crosthwaite 50* [68], Ahilen Beadle 49* [80])
(Manjeet Shrestha 3/46 [9])

Man of the Match: Ahilen Beadle

Result: Australia U19 won by 6 wickets

Championship 2: Scotland U19 vs. Papua New Guinea U19 (MA Aziz Stadium)

PNG U19: 114 ao (32.2 overs)
(Vivian Kila 34 [46])
(Ross Lyons 3/33 [10], G Goudie/KJ Coetzer/MM Iqbal 2 each)

Scotland U19: 149/3 (50 overs)
(Moneeb Iqbal/Ian Young 30 [49/71])

Man of the Match: Ross Lyons

Result: Scotland U19 won by 7 wickets

Posted by Liam