Cricket: New Zealand ousted by Australia in quarterfinals

New Zealand fell short of their third seeding when they lost by 62 runs to Australia in an under-19 cricket World Cup quarterfinal at Rangiora today. 

New Zealand, who finished third when the competition was last held at Malaysia, will now seek consolation in the playoffs for fifth to eighth playoffs beginning with a match against South Africa tomorrow.

Australia batted first and scored 232 for eight with skipper Mitchell Marsh, son of former Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh top scoring with a 53.

The New Zealand attack was blunted by handy contributions from Nicolas Maddinson, 37, Alexander Keath, 32 and Timothy Armstrong, 39.

New Zealand's reply stumbled out of the blocks and never recovered as a disciplined Australian attack, backed by some sharp fielding, put the clamps on.

At 90 for six after after 23.3 overs, New Zealand's hopes were briefly revived by a 40-run stand featuring Craig Cachopa and Douglas Bracewell for the seventh wicket.

But once Cachopa departed for 34, the Australians quickly wrapped up the innings, dismissing New Zealand for 170.

Josh Hazlewood, Luke Doran, Jason Floroa, Nicholas Buchanan and Alexander with two wickets each shared the spoils.

Australia will play Sri Lanka in one semifinal at Palmerston North tomorrow while Pakistan will play West Indies in the other at Christchurch.

Sri Lanka cruised to a 146 run win over South Africa with the Duckworth-Lewis method called into play to separate the sides after a weather-affected match at Christchurch today.

Sri Lanka amassed 293 for 8 with Banuka Rajapaksa 79, Kithuruwan Vithanage 45 and Rumesh Buddika 42 starring with the bat.

In reply, South Africa scored 145 for 6 in 36.4 overs as Charith Jayampathi took four for 31.

Yetserday, Pakistan and the West Indies battled hard to win their quarterfinals in rain-marred matches.

At Lincoln, Pakistan pipped defending champions India by two wickets with three balls to spare in a thrilling clash between two great rivals.

Green conditions made batting treacherous and India struggled to 114 for nine from their maximum 23 overs, with Mandeep Singh's 40 off 44 balls a standout innings.

Paceman Fayyaz Butt was a menace at the start and end of the Indian innings, taking four for 27 while Raza Hassan claimed three for 26.

Pakistan's run chase struggled for momentum but they did enough in the dying stages to sneak over the line, with a jubilant Hammad Azam striking the winning boundary on his way to a crucial 21 off 13 balls.

The West Indies beat England by 18 runs in Rangiora in a match reduced to 36 overs each.

The winners were dismissed for 166, with opener Kraigg Brathwaite and captain Andre Creary compiling 69 and 52 respectively.

England seamer David Payne took four for 19 but none of his batsmen got going as their chase floundered to 148 all out in the 34th over.

In plate matches today, Hong Kong lost to Bangladesh by four wickets while Papua New Guinea beat Afghanistan by 30 runs.

 

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