The New Zealand Under-19s are now headed to the Plate competition of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, but not before finishing the Group Stage with a convincing consolation victory against winless Ireland.
The four-wicket win in a 48-over game at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah saw the New Zealanders improve on their previous efforts against India and Nepal with a solid chase.
Rachin Ravindra and captain Josh Finnie took three wickets each to dismiss Ireland for 212 in 47.5 overs, before half centuries from man of the match Finn Allen and Dale Phillips sorted out the game in just 40.1 overs.
New Zealand started its chase with purpose, Daniel Stanley and Dale's elder brother Glenn Phillips putting on 33 runs in the first 6.4 overs. Ireland's right-arm seamer Rory Anders had a strong day, however, striking four times to reduce the New Zealand Under-19s to 45 for four.
New Zealand started its chase with purpose, Daniel Stanley and Dale's elder brother Glenn Phillips putting on 33 runs in the first 6.4 overs. Ireland's right-arm seamer Rory Anders had a strong day, however, striking four times to reduce the New Zealand Under-19s to 45 for four.
But Allen and the clinical Dale Phillips steadied the ship from that point, cautious to begin with, collecting the odd boundary for nine overs before breaking free in the 24th over to take 20 runs off Gary McClintock.
That released the pressure and they hit at least one boundary in six of the next 10 overs, before Phillips was trapped in front of the wicket for 58.
But with only 27 more runs required, New Zealand was in the driver's seat. Allen was unbeaten on 84, and looking set to become only the fifth batsman to score a century in this edition of the World Cup when Tucker bowled him on 97 in the 38th over, just the three runs shy of what would have been his first international century. A
That released the pressure and they hit at least one boundary in six of the next 10 overs, before Phillips was trapped in front of the wicket for 58.
But with only 27 more runs required, New Zealand was in the driver's seat. Allen was unbeaten on 84, and looking set to become only the fifth batsman to score a century in this edition of the World Cup when Tucker bowled him on 97 in the 38th over, just the three runs shy of what would have been his first international century. A
llen's knock had bailed the New Zealanders out of a hole, however, and flown off just 76 deliveries.
Ravindra and Nathan Smith completed the formalities on his behalf, with 59 balls to spare.
Earlier, Jack Tector (56), Adam Dennison (46) and McClintock (34) had taken Ireland to 167 for three in 38 overs. The stage had been set for the team to finish the innings on a strong note, but Finnie’s twin strikes in the 39th over gave New Zealand the opening it was looking for.
Ravindra, who accounted for Tector, kept things tight as well, the spinners finishing with a combined analysis of 17-1-66-6. Two run outs by Nathan Smith towards the end meant that Ireland were unable to utilise 13 balls in its innings.
New Zealand therefore finished third in their group and, like defending champions South Africa who have have also been shut out of the Super League quarterfinals, now enter the Plate playoffs with a new goal.
