Australia reach Super League quarters

Defending champion Australia sealed in a place in the Super League quarter-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 from Group A after registering a six-wicket victory over Ireland at Endeavour Park 2 in Townsville. Australia bowlers Alex Gregory (three for 13), Shane Cassell (three for 24) and Gurinder Sandhu (two for 35) shared wickets between them as Ireland was skittled out for 129 in 42.5 overs after electing to bat first. In turn, captain Will Bosisto (36 not out) and Sam Hain (26 not out) put on 59 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership as Australia achieved the target with just under 10 overs to spare.
It was Australia’s third successive victory, which meant it is assured of a place in the last eight stage of the tournament which will be played in Townsville and will start on 19 August. The top two sides from all the four groups qualify for the Super League quarter-finals while the bottom two sides complete in the Plate Championship.
The winner of Thursday’s match between England and Nepal, which will be played at Tony Ireland Stadium will confirm which other side joins Australia from Group A in the quarter-final stage.
Also reaching the Super League quarter-final stage were Pakistan and New Zealand from Group B. New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by a narrow eight-run margin which meant Pakistan and New Zealand went through from their group. However, Thursday’s match between New Zealand and Pakistan will confirm which side tops the group and which finishes second.
In the other matches of the day, two-time former champion India defeated Zimbabwe by 63 runs despite Malcolm Lake’s 118 at Tony Ireland Stadium while South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (126) and Chad Bowes (115) smashed entertaining centuries to inspire their side to a thumping 209 runs victory over Namibia at John Blanck Oval in Brisbane.
New Zealand overcomes a spirited Afghanistan: Qualifier Afghanistan came desperately close to pulling off the first major upset of the tournament but fell just nine runs short of victory after being restricted for 190 for nine while chasing New Zealand’s 198.
India bounces back with victory against Zimbabwe: India bounced back from Sunday’s loss to the West Indies with a 68-run victory over Zimbabwe, despite a courageous century by all-rounder Malcolm Lake. Lake clubbed 10 fours and five sixes in a 107-ball knock but his side was still dismissed for 198 after being set a 262 run target by India.
South Africa’s de Kock and Bower hit centuries: South Africa showed little mercy against their smaller African neighbours Namibia at Peter Burge Oval in Brisbane, winning by a massive 222 runs margin.
Scores in Brief
Group A – Australia beat Ireland by six wickets, Endeavour Park, Townsville Ireland 129 all out, 42.5 overs (Ryan Hunter 31, Tyrone Kane 21; Alex Gregory 3-13, Shane Cassell 3-24, Gurinder Sandhu 2-35). Australia 133 for four, 40.3 overs (Will Bosisto 36 not out, Sam Hain 26 not out, Travis Head 25). Player of the Match – Shane Cassell (Australia)
Group B – New Zealand beat Afghanistan by eight runs, Kev Hackney Oval, Buderim. New Zealand 198 all out, 50 overs (Robert O’Donnell 69, Henry Walsh 52; Sayed Shirzad 4-34, Yamin Ahmadzai 4-35). Afghanistan 190 for nine, 50 overs (Najibullah Zadran 69, Afsar Khan 42; Matthew Quinn 4-26, Jacob Duffy 4-40). Player of the Match – Matthew Quinn (New Zealand)
Group C- India beat Zimbabwe by 63 runs, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville. India 261 for six, 50 overs (Unmukt Chand 78, Prashant Chopta 57, Hanuman Vihari 31; Campbell Light 3-22). Zimbabwe 198 all out, 44.1 overs (Malcolm Lake 118; Kamal Passi 6-23). Player of the Match – Kamal Passi (India)
Group D – South Africa beat Namibia by 209 runs, Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane. South Africa 359 for six, 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 126, Chad Bowes 115, Gihahn Cloete 36 n.o.; Zhivago Groenewald 3-85, Andre Engelbrecht 2-57). Namibia 150 all out, 46 overs (Pelham Myburgh 37, Zhivago Groenewald 26, Gerhard Erasmus 21; Theunis de Bruyn 4-20). Player of the Match – Quinton de Kock (South Africa)