Hong Kong despatch USA in World Cup warm-up

Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson led from the front as his side emerged convincing victors in today’s unofficial warm-up against the USA, ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup starting next week in New Zealand.

At the picturesque Willows ground north of Christchurch, USA were put in to bat and after 50 overs scored 182 for nine. Batting at six, right-hander Sammi Fiddiqui top scored with 37, while Regis Burton made 29 and Muhammad Ghous 25.


Three run outs featured for the fielding side, while for Hong Kong Max Tucker and Shakeel Haq both took two for 16.

Hong Kong's reply was swift, scoring 186 for just four wickets, in only 32.2 overs. Atkinson put his run of low scores behind him to notch an excellent 100 off 86 balls, his fifty coming off 40 deliveries. It was an innings full of text book cricket shots, showing focus and determined concentration to reach the magical three figures.

Hong Kong’s win was sealed with a strong third wicket partnership between Atkinson and Ashish Gadhia (59), the pair putting on 156 off 157 balls to mastermind an impressive six-wicket victory.


In Christchurch the local Canterbury A side turned the tables on Afghanistan Under 19s, enjoying a five wicket victory, in contrast Afghanistan’s win in their first clash earlier in the week.

Afghanistan were asked to bat today on a quick but true batting surface with a lightening fast outfield. Right-handed opener Javed Amadi survived the early bounce in the pitch to score an elegant and compact 43, with his off-side shots particularly impressive.


Batting at four, Noor-ul-Haq Malekzai made 35 but Afghanistan struggled to gain further momentum against the demanding and accurate Canterbury attack, to be all out for 169 in 43.3 overs.


Canterbury in reply reached the target comfortably, scoring their 171 for the loss of five wickets in 32.5 overs. The local side’s opener Kereyn Ambler scored 70 off 77 balls.


Again impressive for Afghanistan with the ball was right-arm opening quick Yamin Ahmadzai who took two for 35.

Rain interrupted Canada’s game against an Auckland XI in Auckland, reducing the match to 33 overs per side. Batting first, the Auckland XI put on 171 for six.

Canada put up a solid response but were unable to stay in touch with the required run rate, finishing their 33 overs on 148 for 7. Despite the loss, the good news for Canada was another strong innings from left-handed batsman Ruvindu Gunasekara who scored 50 not out.


Today’s matches were the last of the unofficial warm-up games – all teams are now converging on Christchurch for the official opening of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup on Sunday. Two days of official warm-up games begin on Monday in Christchurch, with the opening round of the tournament proper on Friday (15 January).