South Africa’s U19s were given a massive wake-up call when they were beaten by India U19 by 189 runs in their first World Cup warm-up match.
Having elected to bat at Christ’s College, Christchurch, the Indians swatted away South Africa’s attack to rattle up 332-8, led by 86 from Aryan Juyal and 68 from Himanshu Rana. Prithvi Shaw, the new wonderkid of Indian cricket, and Manjit Kalra put on 54 for the first wicket.
Akhona Mnyaka found his rhythm to take three wickets for seven runs, including Shubman Gill, the No 3, who went for a second-ball duck, but thereafter Juyal and Rana dug in to settle the innings, adding 138 for the fourth wicket. Juyal’s 86 came off 92 deliveries and Rana’s 68 took only 69, both batsmen striking eight fours and a six each. Abhishek Sharma slammed four sixes in a 19-ball 35 and the lower order made frenetic runs, all promising signs as the Indians chased an unprecedented fourth title when the tournament gets off on 13 January.
Mnyaka ended with 3-40, backed by Thando Ntini, with 2-47.
Ishan Porel (4-23) then wrecked the South African top order with a stunning new-ball burst. At 44-4 in the 11th over, it was game over, the South Africans eventually being shot out for 143 in the 39th over.
Porel fired out Matthew Breetzke, Andile Mogakane and Hermann Rolfes in his opening spell, after which it was simply a matter of going through the motions. Only Jean du Plessis, batting at No 6, offered any resistance with a measured half-century, but it was too little, far too late.
South Africa will take on Australia on Thursday (Wednesday, 22:30 SA time).
South Africa U19 squad: Raynard van Tonder (capt, Free State), Matthew Breetzke (Eastern Province), Jean du Plessis (South Western Districts), Jason Niemand (Border), Gerald Coetzee (Free State), Jade de Klerk (Eastern Province), Fraser Jones (KZN Inland), Wandile Makwetu (Gauteng), Andile Mogakane (KZN Coastal), Kgaudise Molefe (Gauteng), Thando Ntini (Western Province), Jiveshen Pillay (Northerns), Hermann Rolfes (Northerns), Kenan Smith (Eastern Province), Akhona Mnyaka (Border).
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
