SA beat Ireland by 8-wicket

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne composed a solid 77-run to steer South Africa Under-19 team a eight-wicket victory over Ireland Under-19 team in the play-off quarter-finals of the ICC U-19 World Cup on Thursday at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium.

Ireland stumbled early after opting to bat, and was quickly reduced to 71 for 5 in the 23rd over. Lorcan Tucker, Ireland`s wicketkeeper, also struck 77, off 98 balls, and was the only batsman to cross 20 in the innings.

The lower and middle orders struggled for fluency and were ultimately restricted to 185 for 7. Dayyaan Galiem was the most successful bowlers with figures of 10-3-22-2. Spinners Sean Whitehead and Luke Philander failed to pick up a wicket, but conceded a combined 64 in 20 overs.

Liam Smith (49) and Verreynne strung together scored 104 in 159 balls to ease South Africa into the ascendancy. The rest of the chase was a canter, as Wiaan Mulder contributed with 43 to help South Africa to the target with four
overs to spare.