New Zealand thrash Kenya
Cricket
By
The Standard
| Jan 17, 2018
New Zealand produced an immense batting performance against Kenya yesterday, their top three batsmen raining 14 sixes at Hagley Oval to rack up 436, the highest total of the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.
The result was a formality after that, and with two wins in two games, the hosts have qualified for the quarter-finals. They will top Group A if they win their final match against South Africa. Kenya have now lost two matches out of two.
Kenya were made to rue their decision to bowl first, as Jakob Bhula and Rachin Ravindra added the highest-ever first-wicket partnership of 245 in 35.5 overs.
Ravindra made 117 off 101 balls before he was stumped. There was no respite for Kenya, though, as number three Finn Allen cracked 90 off 40 balls, his six sixes giving him a strike rate of 225.
The score was 401 in 47 overs when Bhula was eventually dismissed for 180, the highest score in all Under-19 World Cups, off 144 balls.
Kenya used eight bowlers and not one of them went for under 6.50 runs an over.. New Zealand were able to take only four wickets, though, as Kenya batted their 50 overs to score 193.