The second day’s proceedings of the ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand saw England, host New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh begin their campaign on a winning note. The four teams secured wins over Hong Kong, Canada, USA and Papua New Guinea yesterday.

Of the four matches England recorded the easiest win when they outclassed the hapless Hong Kong side by nine wickets in a Group ‘A’ match. England’s victory was thanks to fine unbeaten knocks of 76 by James Vince who incidentally was adjudged the man of the match and Joe Root who made 70.
The pair put on an unbroken 129 runs for the second wicket after openers Root and Christ Dent had put on 57 runs helping England reach the target of 186 in just 30.1 overs. Earlier Hong Kong invited to take first lease made 185 with Niazkat Khan making a top score of 65.

In a Group ‘C’ encounter host New Zealand too coasted to an easy nine wicket win over Canada who earlier created history by chalking up their first ever win in a World Cup tournament by overcoming fancied Zimbabwe.

Canada taking first lease of the wicket was able to muster only 128 in 29.3 overs with host New Zealand needing just 19.1 overs after a solid start was given by openers Harry Boam and Tom Latham adding 75 runs. Latham along with Jimmy Neesham did the finishing touches with an unbroken stand of 55 runs.
The Group ‘B’ clash between Australia and USA ended in big 108 runs win for the former. USA though being able to bowl out the Australia’s before the completion of 50 overs for 262 failed miserably with the bat.

In their run chase USA struggled. A dramatic collapse saw them reeling at 28 for 7 in the tenth over. A knock of 70 from Andy Mohamed only delayed the inevitable. USA made 154. -MSA

The Group ‘D’ game between Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea saw it being reduced to 46 overs after rain interrupted play midway and Bangladesh chasing a revised Duckworth/Lewis target. PNG after made a modest 191 in 46 overs. Bangladesh set a D/L target of 189 in 46 overs achieved it in just 27.2 overs.
Meanwhile the opening day’s play saw defending champions India begin on a winning note with a comfortable eight wicket win over Afghanistan in a Group ‘A’ encounter. The high scoring game of the Group ‘D’ between Pakistan and West Indies ended in a 40 runs win for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam became the first centurion of the tournament when he cracked 129 as his team made a formidable 297 for 7 in 50 overs. West Indies in their turn though given a flying start of 120 runs were able to muster only 257.

It was a historic day for Canada when they defeated Zimbabwe by a close ten runs in a Group ‘C’ match. Thus recording their first ever win in a World Cup tournament. Zimbabwe chasing 201 runs for victory were well away with the score on 129 for 3 before losing wickets at regular intervals to give Canada a worth win.
South Africa had little difficulty in brushing aside the challenge of Ireland whom they defeated by five wickets in a Group ‘B match. South Africa having bowled Ireland for 216 reached the target in the 44th over.