New Zealand had no answer to a clinical batting performance from South Africa – spearheaded by left-handed opener Dominic Hendricks, who hit an unbeaten century to guide his side to a nine-wicket win in their play-off semi-final at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup today.
Hendricks’ opening partnership of 124 with captain Josh Richards laid the foundation for the big win. The pair looked authoritative and composed as they went about their reply to New Zealand’s total of 250, which always looked short on this very good batting wicket at Lincoln No. 3.
Richards was the only wicket to fall, to an outstandingly athletic catch by Logan Van Beek off Harry Boam’s bowling for 67 in the 28th over. Hendricks and David White went on to totally shut New Zealand out from the match, Hendricks bringing up his century off 137 deliveries, but with just seven boundaries – an indication of the excellent running between the wickets from South Africa.
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat. They struck early and had both openers out by the eighth over. Left-handers Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson put together a strong third wicket partnership of 119, before Anderson was out for 64 , Neesham following soon after, also for 64.
Logan Van Beek added a quick 31 but the innings faltered from there, the last four wickets falling for 23 runs. For South Africa, Graham Hume again impressed and bowled intelligently for his two for 27.
Score summary
New Zealand 250 all out in 49.4 overs (Jimmy Neesham 64, Corey Anderson 64, Logan van Beek 31; Kirk Wernars 3-42, Graham Hume 2-27, Samuel Mofokeng 2-45, Dale Deeb 2-45)
South Africa 252-1 in 48.1 overs (Dominic Hendricks 107 n.o., Josh Richards 67)
Result: South Africa won by 9 wickets
Man of the Match: Dominic Hendricks
