The New Zealand Under-19 Cricket Team have beaten their Scottish counterparts in their first Group B pool match of the ICC 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Queensland, Australia.
Scotland competed well, but fell short of New Zealand’s first innings total of 247 by 39 runs, dismissed for 208 after 46.5 overs.
Having won the toss Scotland elected to field. New Zealand made steady progress during the initial stages before developing a strong third wicket partnership between captain Will Young and Robert O’Donnell.
The pair were looking good and put on 88 together, before O’Donnell was run out on 50. Young though remained at the crease and played an absolutely magnificent innings, which was rewarded with a century. The great knock from the skipper finally came to an end when Young was run out on 115.
New Zealand though would have been disappointed with how they closed the innings, losing a number of late wickets. Despite this they still finished their 50 overs at 247 for nine.
Scotland in reply were a chance for much of their pursuit, but suffered with the loss of regular wickets.
Opening batsman Ross McLean (36) and number four Freddie Coleman (65) were the main contributors and led Scotland to 167 for five in the 40th over.
It was at this point New Zealand all-rounder Connor Neynens took wickets on consecutive balls, including that of Coleman’s. It was a crucial spell from Neynens, who effectively secured the result for the Kiwis.
Scotland's lower-order batsman Scott McElnea hit a couple of late sixes, before Henry Walsh had him caught on 21 to wrap up the match.
Ish Sodhi and Neynens were prolific with the ball and finished with figures of three for 35 and three for 24 from their ten overs.
It was an important first up victory for New Zealand, who will take a number of positives from the performance, as well as see a lot of things to work on.
They join Pakistan at the top of Group B, who also had a win first up with a 109 run victory over Afghanistan.
