The Cricketer reports on events at the ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa
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 penultimate day of the Super Sixes.
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 Six 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.
Sri Lanka came so close to beating South Africa (Image: ICC)
South Africa 134-7, Sri Lanka 133-8 – South Africa win by one run
South Africa are out of the Women's Under-19 World Cup despite coming out on top in a thriller against Sri Lanka.
The Proteas' net run rate is inferior to that of India and Australia, who have all but qualified for the semi-finals. Bangladesh still theoretically have a chance of climbing ahead of Australia (and South Africa) with a win on Wednesday over UAE, but that would require a victory by an enormous margin.
South Africa needed a similarly big win to overtake Australia, but their total with the bat – 133 for 7 – meant that even bowling Sri Lanka out for zero wouldn't have been enough to continue their campaign.
Kayla Reyneke top-scored for the hosts with 43 but they were kept in check by Sri Lanka's bowlers, who made regular breakthroughs, with Vidushika Perera picking up three scalps, including that of Reyneke.
In reply, Sri Lanka looked like they'd given themselves too much to do – they were in the eleventh over when Vishmi Gunaratne fell with the score at 48 for 2 – but they put their foot on the gas thereafter to need 44 runs off the last four overs, ultimately coming up agonisingly short of the line.
Georgia Plimmer made a fine half century for New Zealand (Image: ICC)
New Zealand 178-7, Pakistan 75-7 – New Zealand win by 103 runs
New Zealand's superb campaign continued apace with a dominant display against Pakistan.
Georgia Plimmer, who has senior international experience, struck a 38-ball 53 for Izzy Sharp's side, who are without Fran Jonas for this tournament due to injury but nonetheless have looked an excellent side.
If England beat West Indies on Wednesday, New Zealand will face India in the semi-finals, with England's superior net run rate set to push them ahead of the Kiwis. Anna Browning (31) and Emma Macleod (32) both started quickly in the powerplay, from which Pakistan could never recover.
When their time came to bat, Browning was again involved early: she took a wicket with the first ball of the innings as Pakistan slumped to 19 for 5, meaning an unlikely chase was quickly out of the question.
England v West Indies (Potchefstroom – 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)
England are through to the semi-finals of the inaugural Women's Under-19 World Cup with a game to spare.
They can't be caught even if West Indies pull off a surprise in their clash on Wednesday, thanks to New Zealand's win over Pakistan, which means the only two teams able to reach six points are the two already there.
England captain Grace Scrivens is the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, while opening partner Liberty Heap – 135 runs in four games – is the only player with more than 50 competition runs with a strike rate close to Shafali Verma's.
Zaida James has been impressive with bat and ball for West Indies, though she is one wicket behind England's leading wicket-taker, Sophia Smale, her fellow left-arm spinner.
An England win over West Indies will give them top spot in their Super Sixes group, setting up a semi-final in all likelihood against Australia.
New Zealand have impressed so far (Image: ICC)
Bangladesh v UAE (Potchefstroom – 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)
Bangladesh have enjoyed an excellent tournament but, after their defeat by South Africa last time out, they need a miracle to reach the semi-finals at Australia's expense.
Their inferior net run rate means they'd need an extraordinary victory over the United Arab Emirates to usurp those above them and extend their campaign.
In all likelihood, it means their run will end against UAE, who are without a win in the Super Sixes but began their competition by beating the United States.
The Akters – Shorna and Dilara – have both impressed for Bangladesh with the bat, scoring more than 100 runs apiece at decent averages. Marufa Akter goes into their final match as the country's leading wicket-taker.
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