Match 2, Bloemfontein, January 19, 2024, 01:30 PM
USA Under-19
105/10(40.2ov)
Ireland Under-19
109/3(22.5ov)
Ireland Under-19 beat USA Under-19 by 7 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Olly Riley
Commentry
Right then, that is it from this one-sided affair where Ireland Under-19 opens their tally while USA Under-19 will have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a much better performance in their next match. However, the action in the ICC U-19 World Cup continues as South Africa U-19 is taking on West Indies U-19. You can just switch tabs and catch all the updates of that game. Cheers!
Philippus le Roux, the victorious skipper of Ireland Under-19 says it is a great way to start the campaign, everything worked according to their plan and he is impressed with all the performances. He also praises both the opening pacers, Olly Riley and Reuben Wilson, who were exceptional in this game, and it looked like they were having a bit of competition over who would get more wickets. He reckons that Ryan Hunter and Kian Hilton performed very well and put them in a good position, but they have to work on the top order more so that there are no loose ends in the squad.
Rishi Ramesh, the captain for USA Under-19 says that losing early wickets put them under a lot of pressure. Adds that the new batters were always under pressure and had to consolidate which did not work at all. Tells that they depend a bit on the top order to score the runs, but their middle also did not fire in this game. Mentions that the total was not enough, and the pitch got easier to bat on as the game progressed. Says a total of around 180–200 would have been a fighting one. Praises Ireland Under-19 for their performance throughout the game, and ends by saying that they will try to come back stronger in the next one.
Olly Riley is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant bowling effort. He says the pitch was more responsive than they thought. He continues saying it's important to keep the line and length on point, it sometimes takes time to get into radar but it is something he needs to work on. Out of all the wickets, he enjoyed the first one the most. He also praises how the skipper Philippus le Roux backs him up, which gives him a lot of confidence. He ends up saying he and his team would like to keep up the momentum in the upcoming game as well.
Presentation Time...
Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, USA Under-19 were bowled out for a mere 105 runs. Khush Bhalala top-scored with 22 runs which says it all about their performance. The Irish bowlers were on point right from the start. The opening pace duo, Olly Riley and Reuben Wilson were the pick of the bowlers, sharing six wickets equally among themselves. John McNally picked up a couple of wickets, while Carson McCullough and Scott Macbeth chipped in with one each. While chasing, they did suffer early setbacks, but their batters ultimately got hold of the game and secured the win quite comfortably in the end.
USA Under-19, on the other hand, just did not have enough runs on the board to defend. Arya Garg was fired up and provided them the perfect start by getting two early wickets, but they just could not build on that. They allowed a couple of partnerships which was enough for the Irish to chase down this low score. Khush Bhalala got a wicket as well, but it was the batting that let them down in this game.
Despite losing two early wickets, Ireland Under-19 was in control throughout this game. Ryan Hunter struggled a bit initially but once he got through the threatening spells of the opposition pacers, he played his own game. Hunter along with Kian Hilton built up a fine partnership of 59 runs, which removed any jitters that they would have had after the early blows. Hilton unfortunately got out, but Hunter went on to register his maiden half-century and remained unbeaten to seal the victory alongside skipper Philippus le Roux who also scored 23 runs and stayed not out.
Ireland Under-19 begins their World Cup campaign with a comprehensive victory! They have dominated proceedings throughout the game here. Their new ball bowlers made early inroads, then the spinners did well too while the pacers wrapped things up in the end. Their batters made sure that the hard work of their bowlers did not get wasted and ensured the victory, with Ryan Hunter hitting a fine half-century as well. USA Under-19 returns to his tournament after 14 years but will have to lot of work to do if they want to challenge quality opponents here.
In over# 23
4
1
2
0
0
Utkarsh Srivastava 18/0(2.5)
22.5
4
FOUR! Philippus le Roux finishes things off in style! This one is fuller on off. Philippus le Roux pulls out the reverse-sweep and finds the boundary on the deep backward point fence. Ireland Under-19 win by 7 wickets!
22.4
1
FIFTY FOR Utkarsh Srivastava! What an inning it was for him! His first U-19 fifty for the young man! Fuller delivery on middle. Ryan Hunter tucks it towards the mid-wicket for a single.
22.3
2
Short and on middle and leg. Ryan Hunter glances it staying back towards the backward square leg for a double. Ryan Hunter is on 49 runs now.
22.2
.
Short delivery on off. Ryan Hunter gets the outer edge on the ball and the ball rolls towards the short third.
22.1
.
Fuller delivery on off. Ryan Hunter drives it straight to the cover.
In over# 22
0
1wd
1
0
1
1
0
Rishi Ramesh 12/0(2)
21.6
.
Touch fuller on middle. Philippus le Roux blocks it back to the bowler.
21.6
1wd
Wide! Short and wide outside off. Philippus le Roux lets it pass the keeper and gets a bonus run. Ireland Under-19 one hit away from victory!
21.5
1
Short delivery outside off. Ryan Hunter slaps past the cover fielder for a run.