Two-time former champion India defeated New Zealand by nine runs on Thursday in the second semi-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 to set-up Sunday’s final with defending champion Australia.
Defending just 209 runs in front of ESPN STAR Sports’ HD cameras, India produced an outstanding bowling and fielding performance to restricted New Zealand to 200 for nine in 50 overs. India’s Baba Aparajith was declared player of the match after the youngster followed up his 61-ball 44 with figures of 10-1-29-1. While India will take on Australia at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville in a match to be covered live by ESPN STAR Sports, New Zealand will play South Africa in the third-fourth position play-off on Saturday at Endeavour Park. On Friday, the Plate Championship final will be played between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Allan Border Field in Brisbane and will be watched by ICC President Alan Isaac. In the Super League, West Indies will meet England in the fifth-sixth position play-off while Pakistan will meet Bangladesh in the seventh-eighth position play-off.
Put into bat, India appeared to be starting to peak just at the right time and looked comfortable with the new ball, managing to do what most other teams have failed in at Tony Ireland Stadium – not to lose early wickets.
The New Zealanders were sharp in the field and Captain Will Young, quite possibly took the catch of the tournament, a one-handed dive at mid-wicket to dismiss Prashant Chopra (52, 104b, 5×4, 1×6) who was looking to settle himself at the crease.
