KUALA LUMPUR,
Malaysia (CMC):
TOP TEAM India, who defeated the West Indies en route to advancing from the group stage, grabbed a spot in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final when they beat New Zealand by three wickets yesterday. Chasing a revised target after rain stopped play at Kinrara Academy Oval, the Indians stuttered a bit near the end but were able to stretch their winning record to five games. Choosing to bat first, New Zealand compiled 205 for eight off their 50 overs with Corey Anderson (70) getting the top-score. Captain Virat Kohli (2-27), Tanmay Srivastava (2-46) and Siddarth Kaul (2-43) shared six wickets for India.
Revised target
After a lengthy rain-stoppage when India were replying, their target was revised to 191 in 43 overs and they achieved it despite losing three wickets for just six runs in a spirited New Zealand fightback near the end.
Shreevats Goswami (51) and Man-of-the-Match Virat Kohli (43) played the match-winning knocks for the Indians, who finished on 191 for seven in the 42nd over, winning on the Duckworth/Lewis method with nine balls to spare. Pakistan and India remain the only unbeaten teams in the tournament and the defending champions Pakistan tackle South Africa tomorrow in the second semi-final to decide who India's opponents will be in Sunday's final.
At Royal Selangor Club, England's U19s edged Sri Lanka's U19s on the Duckworth/Lewis method by a mere eight runs. Sent to bat, Sri Lanka scored 241 for five off 50 overs with Sachith Pathirana (97 not out) and captain Ashan Subasinghe (54) leading the way.
Best bowler
Man of the match Tom Westley, leading England in place of the rested Alex Wakely, picked up two for 38 to be England's best bowler. The English openers, Billy Godleman (57) and James Taylor (30), gave the side a positive start to its run chase.
Westley contributed a vital 58 and rain stopped play in the 45th over with England at 204 for three.
Both teams were not made to wait long for a decision and as play was called off, England got the win by a mere eight runs.
England now move on to the super league play-off final - to decide fifth and sixth positions - against either Bangladesh or Australia on Saturday.
