Women's Under-19 World Cup wrap: England cruise to victory, Super 6 line-up completed

The Cricketer reports on events at the ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa

Elizabeth Botcherby | 19/01/2023 at 18:30

The inaugural edition of the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup is underway in South Africa, two years after originally planned. Today was the final day of the group stage.

Sixteen teams are taking part in the 2023 edition, split across four groups of four. Following a single round-robin, the top three teams in each group will progress into the Super 6 stage, from which the top two sides in Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals.

The final will take place in Potchefstroom on Sunday, January 29.

^{Georgia Plimmer in action for New Zealand (ICC)}

England 183-5, Rwanda 45 - England beat Rwanda by 138 runs

England secured top spot in Group B with a crushing 138-run victory over Rwanda.

Openers Liberty Heap and Grace Scrivens did the bulk of the damage with the bat, scoring 64 (35) and 51 (43), respectively, before a team bowling performance skittled Rwanda for 45 in 17 overs.

There were two wickets apiece for Alexa Stonehouse (2 for 9), Hannah Baker (2 for 9), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (2 for 1) and Davina Perrin (2 for 5) while Ellie Anderson was the other wicket-taker. Henriette Ishimwe, who conceded just 24 runs from her four overs, was Rwanda's best player.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for the African side, who also secured a spot in the Super 6. They will start that stage in sixth position with zero points, with matches against New Zealand and West Indies. England, who are second in Group 2 with six points, will face Ireland and West Indies.

Ireland 156-6, Indonesia 107-8 - Ireland won by 49 runs

Ireland defeated Indonesia by 49 runs to secure their spot in the Super 6 stage.

Batting first, half-centuries from Georgina Dempsey (50 off 38) and Zara Craig (52 not out off 45) helped Ireland to 156 for 5 at close.

In reply, captain Ni Luh Dewi, who had earlier taken 2 for 23 with the ball, was the only Indonesia player to score more than 12 with the bat, scoring a resilient 34 not out off 40 deliveries as her teammates struggled around her. Craig and Dempsey once again had starring roles, taking 2 for 4 and 1 for 5, respectively, while there were also wickets for Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Aimee Maguire, and Abbi Harrison.

Ireland enter the Super 6 in fifth position in Group 2, with matches scheduled against England and Pakistan. Indonesia will contest a fourth-place playoff with Zimbabwe.

^{Eyman Fatima crashed 62 runs off 35 balls for Pakistan (ICC)}

West Indies 68, New Zealand 72-0 - New Zealand won by 10 wickets

New Zealand swept West Indies aside with a crushing 10-wicket win in Potchefstroom.

Kate Chandler picked up 3 for 8 with the ball, including bowling two maidens, as West Indies were bundled out for 68 in the final over of their innings. Earnisha Fontaine, batting at No.10, was the only player to reach double figures, finishing unbeaten on 11 - extras (25) accounted for nearly half of their total.

Georgia Plimmer (41 off 22) and Anna Browning (28 off 22) made light work of the chase, wrapping up the win, and first place in Group C, in 7.2 overs.

Allocated top spot in Group 2, New Zealand will take on Rwanda and Pakistan in the Super 6. Fourth-placed West Indies will face Rwanda and England.

Zimbabwe 97-6, Pakistan 100-0 - Pakistan won by 10 wickets

Pakistan flexed their batting firepower en route to a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Chasing 98, Eyman Fatima crunched a boundary-laden 62 not out off 35 balls to see her side over the line inside 11 overs. Opening partner Shawaal Zulfiqar contributed 32 runs off 30 balls.

Earlier, an economical and disciplined bowling performance, led by Anosha Nasir's 2 for 21, had restricted Zimbabwe to 97 for 6. Captain Kelis Ndhlovu was the only batter to find any joy against Pakistan's attack, scoring 42 runs off 35 balls.

In the Super 6, Pakistan will face Ireland and New Zealand. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will aim to bow out on a high when they face Indonesia in a fourth-place playoff.

^{Ireland beat Indonesia to book their spot in the Super 6 (ICC)}

USA v Scotland (Benoni - 10am local time, 8am GMT)

USA will face Scotland in the first fourth-place playoff, with both sides still searching for their first win of the tournament.

Scotland finished bottom of Group D after suffering convincing defeats at the hands of the UAE, South Africa, and India. However, Katherine Fraser has impressed, taking a team-leading six wickets.

As for USA, they were bowled out for just 64 by Australia on their way to a nine-wicket defeat but ran both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh close. Against the former, they came within six balls of defending 97 while against Bangladesh, they made a similarly spirited defence of 104.

Zimbabwe v Indonesia (Benoni - 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)

Zimbabwe and Indonesia will also be hoping to pick up maiden wins when they meet in Benoni.

Indonesia were still in contention for a spot in the Super 6 when they faced Ireland in a winner takes all clash in Group C. However, they lost by 49 runs. In their previous two matches, they lost to New Zealand by 10 wickets and West Indies by 77 runs.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, finished bottom of Group B. They began their tournament with a 174-run defeat against England after being bowled out for 25 before suffering further defeats against Rwanda (39 runs) and Pakistan (10 wickets), respectively.

Captains Ndhlovu (Zimbabwe) and Dewi (Indonesia) will be the players to watch in this clash.