Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team suffered an eight wicket defeat to England in an ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup match at Takashinga Cricket Club on Sunday.
The Young Chevrons made a below par 208/9 after they were sent in to bat first, and could not defend the target.
Captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere was the top scorer with an unbeaten 45 runs.
Kian Blignaut (33), Dhruv Patel (36) and Tatenda Chimugoro (30) also showed glimpses in the middle overs but could not convert into big scores.
Right arm medium pacer Manny Lumsden was the pick of the England bowlers with figures of 3-38 in his 10 overs.
He was complemented by Ralphie Albert and Farhan Ahmed who finished with two wickets apiece while Alex French and Luke Hands had one each.
England’s response with the bat was emphatic as they raced to 209/2 in just 28 overs.
Their captain Thomas Rew was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 86 runs, to lead his side to 209/2.
Ben Mayes also made a big contribution with his unbteaten 77 run in a dominant third wicket partnership that yielded 167 runs.
Right medium pacer Shelton Mazvitorera had given Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope earlier on after dismissing openers Ben Dawkins and Joe Moores as England found themselves on 42/2 inside the powerplay overs.
But the third wicket partnership was unbreakable, to give England their second win of the tournament, having beaten Pakistan by 37 runs in their first match at the same venue last Friday.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s opening Group C match against Scotland Under-19 failed to take off the day before because of a wet outfield and persistent rain.
England lead Group C with four points while Zimbabwe and Scotland are sitting on a point each. Pakistan are yet to take off and will face Scotland on Monday at the same venue.
