France defeat rivals Sweden as Netherlands extend their lead

• Guernsey bounce back to defeat Italy by three wickets
• Partnership between Etman (140*) and Jain (61) help Netherlands to big win
• Denmark dominate with bat and ball against Belgium
• France beat Sweden to claim top spot in Group A

Guernsey vs Italy

A must win encounter for both teams delivered one of the most enthralling matches in the tournament so far. Both teams needed a win in this fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive. Guernsey opted to field on winning the toss, preferring to chase after their failure to defend 118 earlier in the week. Italy lost early wickets, but the third wicket partnership between Kashan (80*) and Singh (62) set up a respectable score. It was patient opener Kashan who carried his bat through the innings, supported in partnerships by the middle and lower order to get Italy’s score to 202.

Realising the job at hand, opener Le Tissier played a similarly patient innings, facing 138 balls for his 87*. His determination proved crucial, as wickets fell at regular intervals. The game hung in the balance as the evenly matched sides challenged each other to the limit. Ultimately it was Guernsey who held their nerve and surpassed the Italian score in the 49th over with three wickets in hand.

Netherlands vs Spain

Netherlands were given a fright by Spanish opening bowler Riaz (2/40). After choosing to bat, Netherlands lost two wickets in the first three balls of the game. Opener Etman (140*) shouldered the burden of rescuing the Dutch innings in the English heat by batting sensibly and building partnerships. Netherlands found themselves in a precarious position at 110 for 5 in the 25th over. However, Etman found his partner in Jain (61*) as the two re-built the innings and put together an unbeaten partnership to steer the Netherlands to a commanding 257/5.

Spain struggled in the reply, losing early wickets to find themselves on 15/4 in the fifth over. The middle order battled through the midday heat and the Dutch bowling to stay in as long as possible. The Dutch spinners did the most damage, picking up nine wickets between them. Jain added another four wickets to get his tournament tally to 10. In the end, Spain were bowled out for 63 in the 27th over. Netherlands now find themselves in a commanding position at the top of the table with just one game remaining for them in the group phase.

Denmark vs Belgium

Belgium chose to bat in hot and dry conditions, but runs were hard to come by as the Danish bowlers piled on the pressure. Denmark were looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing performance against the Netherlands earlier in the week and gave very little away. A low score seemed inevitable as the fifth wicket fell on 39 runs. It was the determination of the middle and lower order which almost saw Belgium bat through their fifty overs. A patient innings from Niaz (31) ensured the Belgians crossed the 100-mark to give their travelling fans something to celebrate. The last Belgian wicket fell in the 49th over on 112.

Denmark wasted no time in the reply, looking to dominate the Belgian bowlers from the start. Making full use of the powerplay, Denmark scored 81 from the first 10 overs losing both openers in the process. The result was never in doubt from that point, but fighting to the very end, the Belgians took two more wickets before Denmark reached the total after 18 overs.

France vs Sweden

Sweden sent the French in to bat, hoping to repeat their bowling performance from earlier in the week. The French batted in partnerships, with Raza (42), Patel (45) and Amjad (49) contributing the bulk of the runs. A number of extras and contributions from the lower order lifted the score to a decent 226 before the final wicket fell in the 49th over.

Sweden suffered an early collapse, with three of the top four batters being dismissed without scoring. The French total of 226 looked very far away as the Swede’s lost their fifth wicket on 36. There was a small recovery by the middle and lower order, however the final wicket fell on 108 to finish another convincing win by the French. France now top Group A, with a healthy NRR advantage. They will see themselves as favourites to secure direct promotion to the ICC U19 CWC Europe Division 1 Qualifier for the first time.

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Group standings Group A

Group Bhttps://www.icc-cricket.com/u19-world-cup/