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It will be an all-Asia final at the after Sri Lanka maintained their unbeaten record by crushing West Indies by 57 runs

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan19-Jun-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTillakaratne Dilshan swings away another boundary during his unbeaten 96•Associated PressIt will be an all-Asia final at the ICC World Twenty20 after Sri Lanka maintained their unbeaten record by crushing West Indies by 57 runs at The Oval. Tillakaratne Dilshan added another installment to his breathtaking tournament with an unbeaten 96, the highest score of the event, as his team-mates struggled for momentum. Angelo Mathews then stunned West Indies with three wickets in the opening over before the spinners strangled the middle order, leaving Chris Gayle forlornly unbeaten on 63, carrying his bat as no one else reached double figures.After everything the two countries have been through, it is fitting that Sri Lanka will meet Pakistan in the final. However, unlike Pakistan’s campaign which has burst into life after a slow start, there has been a sense of destiny about Kumar Sangakkara’s team reaching the Lord’s showdown. Sri Lanka’s run has been a triumph of mental strength and character and they now have the chance to mark their return to the international scene following the Lahore terror attack with a trophy.They have played as a team throughout, but their position in the final was down to Dilshan’s outstanding individual effort. His innings was the highest for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 and, in a quirky statistic, the innings briefly gave him the highest percentage of a completed innings before Gayle’s lone hand nipped ahead. Dilshan looked set for the tournament’s first century until losing the strike towards the end. However, with Dilshan set for the closing stages, 60 runs came from the final five overs with Mathews playing a valuable four-ball cameo with two final-over boundaries.However, that was only the start of Mathews’ role in the game. It was a surprise when he was handed the new-ball at the start of the tournament, but has been a constant presence upfront. Nothing, though, had come close to matching this effort. With his second ball he removed Xavier Marshall – who had replaced Andre Fletcher following three consecutive ducks – via an inside edge. It would become a common form of dismissal.Two balls later, Lendl Simmons was slightly unlucky when he went across his stumps and the ball ricocheted from his thigh pad onto leg stump. That wasn’t the end, though, and Mathews’ third was the vital wicket of Dwayne Bravo as he too got an inside edge into middle stump. A stunned West Indies were 1 for 3.Gayle, too his credit, played the situation and even opted to leave a couple of deliveries as he collected his thoughts. Normal service resumed with three boundaries when Lasith Malinga came on early to bowl the fourth over and Isuru Udana was swung for six over long-on. Then came the spinners and, coupled with some brainless shot selection, the game was over.Ajantha Mendis trapped Shivnarine Chanderpaul on the sweep as he and Muttiah Muralitharan made the middle order prod and poke as though playing with their eyes closed. Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was dropped on 2 by Mendis running round from long-on, was soon held by the omnipresent Mathews and Kieron Pollard was made to look a novice when he was stumped off a wide. Mendis’ 2 for 9 were Sri Lanka’s most economical Twenty20 figures, but Murali’s 3 for 29 reminded everyone of where the mystery began.Sri Lanka’s innings was a curious affair, none more so than when Sanath Jayasuriya was labouring over a 37-ball 24. He never looked comfortable, changing his bat four times, before top-edging to short fine-leg. That the opening stand was still worth a profitable 73 in 10.3 overs was down to how well Dilshan played. He drove, flicked and swept (but never quite scooped, although he tried) his way to a 30-ball half century while partners came and went.Sangakkara was superbly caught at backward point and Mahela Jayawardene clipped straight to short-fine leg as three wickets fell for four runs. It was down to Dilshan to give Sri Lanka’s strong attack something to defend and he cashed in on two full tosses by Pollard. Placement was key to Dilshan’s display and each time the bowlers strayed he managed to make the most of it.The innings found some important momentum in the 17th over when Bravo was taken for 18 as he struggled to find his length. Dilshan cracked three boundaries and Chamara Silva then joined in when he swung the final delivery one bounce to the square-leg boundary. Silva’s contribution to a stand of 50 in six overs was just 11, before he fell trying to reverse hit Sulieman Benn, but it put Sri Lanka on track for the type of score they have regularly defended and from there they never looked like losers. One more victory on Sunday would complete one of cricket’s greatest stories.

Aston Villa will be able to call upon Emiliano Martinez, Marvelous Nakamba and Bertrand Traore for their trip to Wolves after the international break, Ashley Preece reports.

This is after the UK government agreed to a quarantine exemption for players travelling to red-list countries during the international break, so long as they are double-vaccinated.

And in Villa’s case, that applies to all three of the players concerned.

After the last international break, Dean Smith’s side had to cope without Martinez and Emiliano Buendia for their trip to Chelsea because there was no such exemption in place.

How important have the Villa trio been so far?

Martinez has started every other Premier League game this season, keeping three clean sheets (via Transfermarkt).

Nakamba, meanwhile, has only made one start, with Smith handing him three substitute appearances.

And Traore’s start to the campaign has been disrupted by an injury he suffered in the opening day defeat at Watford. He’s been limited to just 43 minutes across Villa’s first six matches.

Here’s how Villa fans reacted when Preece tweeted the news.

Villa fans celebrate triple boost

“Praise the lord for the government”

Credit: @8forclark

“Great news, thanks for that Ash, you da man.”

Credit: @Up_tha_Villa

“Great stuff!”

Credit: @Petermi39249140

“Boooom”

Credit: @muzzavilla

“Everyone liked that”

Credit: @titanuk1874

“SIUUUUU”

Credit: @avfcjoshuaa

In other news, hordes of fans also flocked to Preece’s post on Konsa. 

Paul Collingwood has implored his team-mates to shake off the fatigue of 181 overs in the field and turn in one final act of batting defiance to save the first Test in Cardiff

Alex Brown at Cardiff11-Jul-2009Tensions between the England and Australia camps boiled over on Sunday morning, with Kevin Pietersen and Mitchell Johnson involved in a heated confrontation during the warm-ups. As both teams prepared for the final day’s play, Pietersen, the not out batsman, struck a pull-shot in the direction of the Australians, provoking an irascible response from the tourists.Johnson, Australia’s pace spearhead, kicked the ball away and marched across to the England batsman with several of his countrymen in tow. Pietersen, also accompanied by team-mates, responded by advancing on the Australians, but a serious confrontation was averted when Johnson was ushered away by Stuart Clark, the Australian 12th man. Australia would later win the battle, however, dismissing Pietersen for 8 shouldering arms to a straight Ben Hilfenhaus delivery.The verbal exchange highlighted the tension between the two sides as the first Ashes Test drew to a close. England’s desperation to save the match was summed up by Paul Collingwood’s call to arms on Saturday evening, imploring his team-mates to shake off the fatigue of 181 overs in the field and turn in one final act of batting defiance to save the match.The task was never going to be easy. Johnson’s removal of Alastair Cook, trapped lbw playing around his front pad, and Ben Hilfenhaus’ fortuitous dismissal of Ravi Bopara, adjudged lbw to a ball that would have comfortably cleared the stumps, left England reeling at 20 for 2 and still trailing by 219 on Saturday. Not even heavy showers, which washed out the final session, could deny Australia’s charge on a day in which the tourists extended their first innings total to 674 for 6 across 181 chastening overs for England and three new balls.Light rain was predicted for Cardiff on Sunday, but the Australians nonetheless fancied their chances of claiming the required eight wickets on a wearing fifth-day Sophia Gardens track. The tourists were further motivated by the prospect of taking a 1-0 lead into the second Test at Lord’s; a venue at which they haven’t tasted defeat since 1934.Collingwood, cognisant of England’s precarious position in the match, acknowledged the danger of allowing a young Australian side the confidence boost of a 1-0 series lead heading to London. “Soul-destroying is a little over the top, but it’s been a tough day,” Collingwood said. “A few decisions, a couple of things went against us, but you have to be tough as a cricketer. You do feel as though nothing’s going right for you. You have to get them out of the system, and get the brain into gear for what we have to do tomorrow.”I think the batsmen have got to take responsibility. We’ve got three sessions to bat tomorrow, and got to see them through as an individual and not leave it to anyone else. In the first innings we all got starts and didn’t go on. Tomorrow is about putting the hand up and being the man to see the three sessions through.”We want to go into the next Test level. Hopefully the ball won’t swing – we didn’t get any which was obviously disappointing – so hopefully that continues. And we’ve got to combat the spin of [Nathan] Hauritz. We’ve got to bat well but we believe we’ve got the players in the shed to see the day through.”The Australians, meanwhile, were buoyant at the prospect of scything through the England batting card by capitalising on the hosts’ weariness from seven sessions in the field. Nathan Hauritz was handed the opportunity to spin Australia to victory on a deteriorating Cardiff surface, and cement his place in the starting XI for the remainder of the series.Marcus North, who completed a brilliant unbeaten 125 on Saturday, expressed supreme confidence that Australia’s bowlers would claim the final eight wickets and seal a famous innings victory. “At the moment there’s probably only one winner, so hopefully the weather stays away and we’ve got a full day of play tomorrow,” North said. “We’ve got a healthy lead on a wicket that’s wearing.”To be fair, they stuck at it pretty well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cricket team that can be in the field for that long and have great body language. It does take its toll … (but) it wasn’t like they gave up. The conditions were pretty tough, and when you take the third new ball and the bowlers are quite stiff and sore it can be hard work. Batting in that situation, we have the freedom; we had no pressure on us. Hopefully now that we’ve ground them in there in the field for a couple of days, they can have some heavy legs tomorrow when they come out and bat.”There was a lot of talk about England’s spin causing us a lot of problems. To combat that with what we’ve achieved over the last couple of days is pretty pleasing. To wrap that off tomorrow with a win – to be 1-0 up at a venue which at the start of the series everyone fancied England’s chances – would be a great confidence boost especially leading into Lord’s and the success the Australian cricket team has there. The first step is tomorrow.”

Amid all the exciting first-team signings that Aston Villa made over the course of the summer transfer window, the work done in securing some of the country’s brightest young talents arguably went under the radar.

In came the likes of Ajani Burchall and Jayden Barber among others, but one starlet who appears set for potentially the biggest future in the game, is Josh Feeney.

The 16-year-old arrived from Fleetwood Town in the summer, and has already been showing his considerable ability and potential by playing four games at Premier League 2 level – essentially playing against players who are several years older than him.

Speaking after the confirmation of his signing back in July, Villa academy manager, Mark Harrison, said: “We are delighted that Josh has joined us. He is a centre-back with an awful lot of potential who had attracted a lot of interest and has also captained England at U16 level.

“We would like to thank Fleetwood Town for their professional manner during the process of Josh joining. We look forward to seeing how Josh develops over the next few years.”

And, after Villa’s 4-2 victory over Burton Albion in the EFL Trophy, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece was quick to rave about the talented teenager.

He said: “Looking back at last night, what a talent Villa have on their hands in terms of 16-year-old Josh Feeney. He arrived from Fleetwood Town in the summer and has quickly become a key player for Mark Delaney’s under-23s. Feeney’s a classy, ball-playing centre-back.

“He’ll link up with the England under-17s next week alongside another big talent at Villa, 15-year-old Travis Patterson who came on at Burton last night.”

Given a lot of captains are often defenders who able to lead from the back – Tyrone Mings of course being Villa’s current one – Feeney seems to have the mentality to become exactly that in the years to come.

His experience at leading his country at U16 level stands him in good stead, while the fact he’s playing well above his age group already, and that too in a completely new club and environment, speaks volumes of his ability to handle pressure and expectation.

Dean Smith could well unearth a future Villa captain in Feeney.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped a major Aston Villa boost…

A number of Everton fans have been left gushing over some news involving Rafael Benitez.

As per The Northern Echo, the Spaniard has now ruled out walking from his job at Goodison Park to go and manage one of his former clubs in Newcastle United, believing that it would be wrong to turn his back on the Toffees even though he retains a strong affinity to the Magpies.

This comes after a report emerged that the new owners at St James’ Park were plotting a move to get him back in charge after the takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium was completed.

Benitez only took charge of the Toffees in the summer after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid and has started off well, with Everton currently sitting fifth in the Premier League.

Reports that he has now ruled himself out of joining a top-flight rival have unsurprisingly been met with delight by many Blues supporters.

Everton fans on Benitez news

These Everton fans gushed as the news was shared on Twitter:

“Was never worried as Rafa has always been an honourable man and has never broken a contract.”

Credit: @toffeecrunch25

“Rafa the gaffer, up the Toffees”

Credit: @AJGardensEFC

“Great news, now we need to back him properly”

Credit: @jaysmith1878

“That’s great news!!”

Credit: @ALANBRO32378008

“Happy days”

Credit: @CalumGahan

“In other words Rafa has principles and his word is his bond unlike a few previous managers I bet you could name!”

Credit: @JimFromWoodburn

In other news, find out what club announcement has left these Evertonians buzzing

It was a hard day’s work in the field for the New Zealanders on the second day at the NCC as they conceded a slender 27-run lead against Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI

Cricinfo staff13-Aug-2009
ScorecardChris Martin got an early breakthrough before SLC took control•AFPThe New Zealanders put in a hard day’s work in the field on the second day at the NCC yet conceded a 27-run lead to Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI. Dinesh Chandimal was the stand-out performer for SLC with a century, helped by Dammika Prasad with a steady fifty, and their stand helped SLC pass the visitors’ score before the lower order collapsed.The tourists added 14 to their overnight score before being bowled out. SLC began on an aggressive note, Tillakaratne Dilshan warming up for the Tests with an aggressive half-century, smashing eight fours and three sixes in his 68. There followed a wobble of sorts when they lost three wickets for 26 runs but they recovered thanks to the 127 put on for the sixth wicket by Chandimal and Prasad.Chandimal, who walked in in the third over, was the mainstay, facing 234 balls for his 109. The pair helped edge past the lead before the visitors struck. Daniel Vettori made the breakthrough when he trapped Prasad lbw for 73 before Iain O’Brien sent back Chandimal two overs later. The pair picked up two more wickets with the new ball as SLC ended on 324 for 9.With the match heading for a draw, the tourists can look forward to more batting practice tomorrow, the final day.

Rangers want at least £10million for Crystal Palace target Joe Aribo, according to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The publication reported last week that Palace were monitoring Aribo’s situation at Ibrox with a view to a possible move.

Aribo, formerly of Palace’s London rivals Charlton Athletic, has two years left to run on his contract in Glasgow.

Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, who was a team-mate of Aribo at The Valley, has marvelled at his ‘unreal’ abilities and likened him to Yaya Toure (via Daily Record).

The 25-year-old has started all of Rangers’ league matches so far this season and has been their fourth-best performer, WhoScored metrics show.

He’s averaged 2.2 successful aerial duels, two key passes and 1.7 dribbles per 90 minutes.

The latest

A Rangers source has made clear that ‘the club have no intention of letting Aribo go easily’.

A £10million sale would be the fourth-biggest in the club’s history behind Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Alan Hutton and Jean-Alain Boumsoung (via Transfermarkt).

The verdict

It’s hard to argue that isn’t a fair price-tag for a player who’s established himself as a mainstay under Steven Gerrard.

You wonder if Aribo is being lined-up as a potential replacement if Palace are unable to secure the permanent signing of Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher.

They’re not exactly the same mould of player, but both provide real attacking impetus from the middle of the park.

In other news, fans react to this transfer rumour. 

Cameron White scored his maiden international hundred, and Michael Clarke signed off as captain with a sheet-anchor 52 from 92 balls, as Australia took a 3-0 lead in the seven-match ODI series

The Bulletin by Andrew Miller at The Rose Bowl09-Sep-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsCameron White’s 116-ball hundred followed his half-century at The Oval•PA PhotosCameron White scored his maiden international hundred, and Michael Clarke signed off as captain with a sheet-anchor 52 from 92 balls, as England’s under-performing batsmen were taught an object lesson in how to pace a run-chase in the third ODI at the Rose Bowl. Chasing 229 under the floodlights after losing the toss for the third time in the series, White and Clarke added 143 for the third wicket to steer Australia to a comfortable six-wicket victory with nine balls remaining, and secure a virtually unassailable 3-0 lead with four matches of the NatWest Series still to come.Though England’s bowlers put up something of a fight with the ball, the match was lost during another inadequate performance from the batsmen, in which Andrew Strauss, once again, was the only redeeming feature. Australia lost both openers early in their chase, and at 56 for 2 after 15 overs, it looked as though they might be forced to struggle for the ascendancy. But whereas England’s batsmen produced five partnerships worth between 34 and 41 runs – a stat that perfectly encapsulated the wastefulness of their performance – the Aussies needed just one hefty alliance to make the game safe.For differing reasons, White and Clarke had plenty to prove in tonight’s contest – the return of Ricky Ponting for Saturday’s fourth ODI will require White to relinquish his No. 3 spot, and Clarke to hand back the captaincy. But both men ensured that the skipper will return to a steady ship after silencing a full house at The Rose Bowl with a performance that was light on fireworks but brimful of determination. Clarke contributed a solitary boundary to a stay that spanned 30 overs, which also happened to be his last shot before being bowled by Graeme Swann one ball later, and while questions remain about his lack of impetus in the middle-order, tonight is not the night for quibbling.Instead, it is a night for White to celebrate his arrival on the international stage. Having never batted higher than No. 5 before this series, today’s 116-ball hundred followed on from his maiden half-century in the first match at The Oval, and whereas England’s skittish batsmen have continually found new and innovative ways to squander their promising starts, he belied his reputation as a biffer to set himself a platform and, then, crucially, to build on it.His only error with the bat came on 92, during Australia’s Powerplay, when Tim Bresnan fluffed a skier at long-on – and while the bowler, James Anderson, was not best pleased at that let-off, Anderson himself had earlier been guilty of letting White off the hook with two run-out chances – the first an underarm shy from five yards that somehow missed the stumps with the batsman on 46, and later a failure to break the stumps with White on 70, and floundering for the crease having worked a single into the leg-side.There was no panic at any stage of Australia’s performance, however. They claimed the Powerplay at 154 for 2, with 66 balls of the chase remaining and 75 runs still needed, whereupon White drilled Sidebottom over mid-on for their first six of the series. His own contribution ended with nine runs still required, when he scudded a Luke Wright slower ball to mid-off, but Callum Ferguson and Michael Hussey ensured there were no late dramas.And so England were left to rue another day in keeping with their performances all year, in which their fortunes were dictated entirely by their captain. Having won his third toss of the series under overcast skies, Strauss might well have been tempted to bowl first, were it not for the memory of the failed run-chases that England compiled in the first two matches at The Oval and Lord’s. This time, he took it upon himself to set the agenda personally, and at first he did so to fine effect. Though he did not open his account until his 11th delivery of the innings, he then climbed into Brett Lee with three fours in a row – a pull, a cut and a drive, the three staples of his international diet – en route to a 60-ball half-century.James Anderson holds his head in his hands as England drift towards another defeat•Getty ImagesAt the other end, Ravi Bopara showed signs of his returning confidence when he drilled the first ball of Nathan Bracken’s third over over long-on for six, and at 40 for 0 after seven overs, England were looking in command of their destiny. But then, however, it all started to go wrong. Bopara attempted a repeat stroke, but picked out James Hopes at full stretch running back towards the pavilion, and in the very next over, Matt Prior sized up a violent pull shot to get himself off the mark, but he fizzed a simple chance straight to Hopes once more, this time off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.Owais Shah, under pressure again thanks to his haphazard running in the second ODI, was adjudged lbw, somewhat unluckily, as replays suggested that Johnson’s delivery would have slipped past the off stump. And then, in a lapse in concentration that has been an unfortunate part of his otherwise excellent form in this series, Strauss worked Hauritz in the air with a flick of the wrists, and Clarke swooped low at midwicket to send him on his way. At 98 for 4, Australia were firmly in the ascendancy.Collingwood, charged with raising the tempo as well as providing mature support to the tyro Eoin Morgan, then produced arguably the most culpable dismissal of the lot, as he attempted to biff Shane Watson’s medium pace over the leg-side field, but succeeding only in scuffing his drive to Bracken at mid-on for 28 boundary-free runs. And when Luke Wright scorched to short extra cover, it was left to Morgan to cobble together a defendable target. He added 36 in seven overs with Bresnan, including a rare six as Hopes was punched over the top, but the decision to call for the Powerplay in the 42nd over once again scuppered all England’s momentum.On 43, Morgan was suckered by a slower-ball full toss from Lee, and patted a tame drive to Johnson at wide mid-off, before Swann played across the line to a wicket-to-wicket delivery from Shane Watson to be adjudged lbw for 3 from three balls (188 for 8). As England dribbled through their allocation, it wasn’t until Bresnan cleared his front leg to smash consecutive fours off Watson with three balls of the Powerplay remaining that they managed so much as a boundary in their five sloggable overs.Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom ensured that the innings was not a total surrender by hauling England through their 50 overs in a ninth-wicket stand of 40, with both men posting their highest scores in ODI cricket before Sidebottom holed out to White off Watson’s final ball of the innings. Nevertheless, their modest achievements were a further indictment of the failings higher up the order. Only an inspired performance with the ball would have enabled England to escape. And sure enough, White and Clarke ensured it did not materialise.

Newcastle United have the perfect chance to cut their losses on Miguel Almiron amid a recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

The Paraguay international has endured another difficult Premier League season thus far, scoring no goals and providing no assists whatsoever in the nine games that he has played in all competitions.

Now, ABC journalist Bruno Pont has relayed information from Miguel Angel Caceres that the Magpies ace likes the owners of La Liga side Elche, and that he could be one of the players the Tyneside club lets go next season.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Almirón likes the owners of Elche de España, the 27-year-old Paraguayan footballer has been performing at a high level in the Premier League for several seasons. However, he could be one of Newcastle’s sacrifices for next season.”

Get rid

Speaking last summer, former Premier League goalkeeper Chris Kirkland exclusively told FFC that Almiron’s struggles to adapt to life in England has been one of the main issues behind why the Paraguayan has yet to hit the heights.

He said: “Well he’s struggled. He hasn’t adapted, has he? It’s a risk when you’re buying players from abroad. It is a big risk because they can be very good players but moving abroad, moving away from your family, bringing your family over, the different language, all of it has a massive effect.”

The £75k-a-week earning ace’s appalling record of just 13 goals and five assists in 100 games for Newcastle, is simply not good enough, especially in this new PIF-led era at St James’ Park.

The Magpies will no doubt be embarking on a massive spending spree in the upcoming transfer windows, and getting rid of the deadwood and under-performing players will surely be on the agenda too.

Almiron fits into that category of players at Newcastle, and quite frankly, has become just a passenger and liability at the club given his inability to provide any kind of real end product or consistency.

PIF must make a ruthless call and get rid at the earliest possible opportunity. If the club are serious about taking that next step and moving forwards, then axing below-par players like Almiron is the logical decision to make, and ensure they aren’t being held back.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are eyeing a move for this record-breaker…

A round-up of the eighth day of the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in King City

Cricinfo staff11-Sep-2009Canada became the fifth team to qualify for the Under-19 World Cup, beating Vanuatu by 24 runs on the back of Usman Limbada’s century in a high-scoring game at the Maple Leaf North-East Ground.With just one qualifying spot remaining, Netherlands, Uganda, Hong Kong and Vanuatu still mathematically have a chance of qualification, despite the fact that Netherlands and Uganda also lost to Afghanistan and Ireland respectively.Vanuatu felt they were in with a good chance during the chase after captain Simpson Obed’s quick 108 but the lack of support from the others meant they were bowled out in the 46th over. Choosing to bat, Canada were lifted to 303 by Limbada’s breezy 126, comprising 13 fours and two sixes with Jelany Chilia (3 for 42) finishing as Vanuatu’s most successful bowler. Hiren Patel accounted for three of the top five batsmen during the reply, as Hardik Kotak and Manny Aulakh finished with two wickets apiece.”When I came into bat, I had a really good feeling and wanted to try and get a big score,” Limbada said. “I always like trying to bat positively.”The 19-year-old right-hander believed Canada would impress at the main tournament in New Zealand. “For most of us it will be the first time we will be playing in a World Cup. It can really change our lives by playing high-level cricket against some good teams and I really think that we can be competitive at that event as we have a really good team.”It took two teams that have already qualified for the World Cup to produce arguably the match of the tournament as Papua New Guinea scraped home by one wicket against the United States of America at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground. An incredible bowling performance from John Reva, who collected 7 for 34, restricted the USA to 179, a total that could have been far smaller but for Regis Burton’s 52 in the lower order.In reply, PNG reached their target in a dramatic final over, getting home with one wicket in hand and two balls remaining as Charles Amini struck the winning runs. “It was very surprising to get seven wickets. I have been trying to get five wickets all tournament, but I never expected to take five wickets,” Reva said.”The last over was very nerve-wracking for us. We were nine wickets down and I was very nervous. I hoped our batsman would do well. I want the team to win this tournament. We have already qualified, but want to finish on a high note and win our last two games.”Ayoub Ahmadzai and Izatullah Dawlatzai were the chief executors of Afghanistan’s demolition job against the Netherlands. While Ahmadzai put in a Man-of-the-Match performance with his classy 105, including 14 fours, right-arm fast bowler Dawlatzai picked up 6 for 30 as Afghanistan won by a huge 183 runs at the Maple Leaf South-East Ground.Netherlands captain Tim Gruijters might have fancied his chances at the halfway mark, after picking up a five-for to keep Afghanistan to 272. However, the chase folded up in the 22nd over, as three ducks and three twos featured on the dismal Netherlands scorecard.”It was a very good game and I am glad that we performed very well,” Dawlatzai said. “It was good to do well against a team like Netherlands. I hope we will be able to win the remaining matches in this tournament as the players have been working hard and now we have qualified we all want to win this event.”Ireland retained their position at the top of the table with an 67-run win over Uganda at the Maple Leaf South-West Ground. Half-centuries to Stuart Thompson (67) and Ben Ackland (50) helped Ireland set up a total of 252 for 8, despite a strong bowling effort from Ahmad Sangau, who grabbed 5 for 44.Uganda struggled to build partnerships in reply, although Hamu Bagenda (36) and Daniel Batuwa (37) did their best to get the chase on track. But Craig Young’s 3 for 26 was key in restricting Uganda, who were dismissed for 185 in the 48th over.Hong Kong raised their hopes of sealing the final spot with the two points from the walkover against Sierra Leone.

Ireland Under-19s 8 71 0 0 14 +1.051 1688/350.01320/350.0 Afghanistan Under-19s 7 6 10 0 12 +1.200 1225/256.5 1071/300.0 Papua New Guinea Under-19s 7 6 1 00 12 +0.521 1215/281.1 1140/300.0 United States of America Under-19s 7 5 2 00 10 +0.470 1165/300.0 1023/299.4 Canada Under-19s 7 5 2 00 10 +0.400 1263/300.0 1143/300.0 Netherlands Under-19s 7 3 4 00 6 -0.877 965/300.0 1228/300.0 Uganda Under-19s 8 2 6 00 4 -0.808 1105/347.1 1369/343.0 Hong Kong Under-19s 7 2 5 00 4 -0.843 1003/300.0 1184/282.5 Vanuatu Under-19s 7 1 6 00 2 -1.159 1115/300.0 1266/259.4 Sierra Leone Under-19s 9 0 9 00 0 0/0.0 0/0.0