New Zealand U19 eager to keep momentum going

The New Zealand Under 19 cricket team are determined to head to the quarter finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 unbeaten, as they prepare to take on South Africa in their final pool game tomorrow at Bay Oval in Tauranga.

After impressive wins over the West Indies and Kenya, New Zealand have already secured a place in the final eight, but top seeding in Group A remains up for grabs.

Auckland batsman Finn Allen has been one of New Zealand’s stars so far this tournament, with 205 runs across two matches, and he’s keen to keep the winning run going before they enter the knock-out stages.

“We want to have another awesome game and go into the quarter finals 3-0,” Allen said. “To take that momentum and confidence with us of beating another good side, I think that would do the boys a world of good.

“We’ve seen how they play and they come hard. They’re a good bunch of players and they should be a really tough challenge so I think it will be really good for us.”

Allen says the side has taken inspiration from the way the BLACKCAPS are playing, after their record-breaking 11 wins across all formats at home this summer.

“The position they’re in is where we want to be at the end of the day,” Allen said.

“We’re trying to model the way they play the game as well, the spirit of cricket, their aggressive nature. I don’t know if this is exactly what they do, but we want to be aggressive in everything we do whether it’s in the field, with the bat or the ball.”

The game against South Africa will be New Zealand’s second day-night match at Bay Oval this tournament and Allen’s hoping for another bumper crowd.

“It’s been unreal having my mates and family being able to drive down to the Mount and watch and cheer on from the sideline. Knowing that they’re there watching me adds a bit of pressure I guess but it’s something that I want to thrive off,” Allen said.

Entry to the match is free while it will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.

Tournament Schedule

NZ U19 squad
 
Kaylum Boshier (Central Districts) - Captain
Finn Allen (Auckland)
Jakob Bhula (Wellington)
Max Chu (Otago)
Katene Clarke (Northern Districts)
Matthew Fisher (Northern Districts)
Luke Georgeson (Wellington)
Ben Lockrose (Otago)
Callum McLachlan (Wellington)
Felix Murray (Central Districts)
Sandeep Patel (Northern Districts)
Dale Phillips (Auckland)
Rachin Ravindra (Wellington)
Connor Sullivan (Canterbury)
Todd Watson (Central Districts)