South Africa topped Group D and qualified for the Super League quarter-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 after defeating Sri Lanka by four wickets in the feature match at Peter Burge Oval in Brisbane on Wednesday.
South Africa bowlers Corne Dry (four for 16), Calvin Savage (two for 30) and Solo Nqweni (two for 51) shared wickets between them to skittle out Sri Lanka for 150 in 37.4 overs. In its reply, captain Chad Bowes (46) and Theunis de Bruyn (42) put on 80 runs for the third wicket as South Africa achieved the target in 33 overs.
It was South Africa’s third successive victory, which means it will now feature on the first day of the Super League quarter-finals on 19 August. South Africa’s opponent will only be confirmed after Thursday’s match between England and Nepal. The two sides go head to head at Tony Ireland Stadium.
The other matches of the day saw close finishes, with Ireland getting the better of Nepal in Group A by 14 runs at the Endeavour Park in Townsville, and Afghanistan holding its nerve to beat Scotland by 10 runs at the John Blanck Oval in Group B.
Possible scenarios: Thursday is the final day of the first round matches, and the winner of New Zealand-Pakistan match at John Blanck Oval will confirm which side tops Group B. Both the sides have already qualified for the quarter-finals but a win for Pakistan could possibly set up a mouth-watering Super League quarter-final clash against rival India on Monday, 20 August. However, to make this happen, two-time former champion India will also have to beat Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a Group C fixture at Endeavour Park 1.
The situation in Group C will turn on its head if Zimbabwe upsets the West Indies at Endeavour Park 2. If Zimbabwe beats the West Indies and India defeats PNG, then India, West Indies and Zimbabwe will finish with two wins each, which means Net Run-Rate will decide which two sides progress to the quarter-final stage.
South Africa’s convincing victory over Sri Lanka has provided Bangladesh with an opportunity to qualify for the Super League quarter-final as it plays a winless Namibia at the Peter Burge Oval. If Bangladesh wins, it will mean Sri Lanka will participate in the Plate Championship, because the top two sides from all the four groups qualify for the Super League quarter-finals. The bottom two sides compete in the Plate Championship.
Group D – SA v SL , Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane: South Africa on Wednesday showed it can no longer fly under the radar at the ICC Cricket U19 Cricket World Cup, with a comprehensive victory to go top of Group D. South Africa bundled Sri Lanka out for 150 in 37.4 overs and then overcame the loss of early wickets to finish with 153 for six in 33 overs to remain unbeaten.
Group A – Ireland v Nepal,
Endeavour Park, Townsville: Ireland took its first points on Wednesday with an exciting 14-run win over Nepal at Endeavour Park in Townsville.
Dockrell was named player of the match, with his captaincy skills also coming to the fore. The win put Ireland in third position in the Group.
Group B – Afghan v Scotland, John Blanck Oval, Sunshine Coast: In the other clash of the qualifiers, Afghanistan came out on the right side with a 10-run win over Scotland on the Sunshine Coast. Both Scotland and Afghanistan will now head into the Plate Championship.
Scores in Brief: Group A – Ireland beat Nepal by 14 runs, Endeavour Park, Townsville: Ireland 185 for eight, 50 overs (Shane Getkate 47, Andy McBrine 41, Tyrone Kane 39 not out; Rahul Vishvakarma 2-31, Avinash Karn 2-37, Bhuvan Karki 2-43). Nepal 171 all out, 49.3 overs (Rahul Vishvakarma 32, Subhash Khakurel 31, Pradeep Airee 29; George Dockrell 4-22). Player of the Match – George Dockrell (Ireland)
Group B – Afghanistan beat Scotland by 10 runs, John Blanck Oval, Buderim: Afghanistan 191 all out, 48.3 overs (Javed Ahmadi 71, Afsar Khan 44; Gavin Main 4-26, Ruaidhri Smith 4-45). Scotland 181 all out, 49.2 overs (Ross McLean 67, Freddie Coleman 30; Sayed Shirzad 3-33, Aftab Alam 2-45). Player of the Match – Javed Ahmadi (Afghanistan)
Group D – South Africa beat Sri Lanka by four wickets, Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane: Sri Lanka 150 all out, 37.4 overs (Pulina Tharanga 50 not out; Corne Dry 4-16, Calvin Savage 2-30, Solo Nqweni 2-51). South Africa 153 for six, 33 overs (Chad Bowes 46, Theunis de Bruyn 42; Tharindu Kaushal 3-28, Sanitha de Mel 2-32). Player of the Match – Corne Dry (South Africa).
