England Under-19 fast bowler Manny Lumsden was the toast of the match, claiming five wickets for just 17 runs, as England brushed aside New Zealand Under-19s by 65 runs in their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Super Six clash at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday. After New Zealand won the toss and elected to field, England posted a competitive 234 for seven from their 50 overs, a total that proved well beyond reach once Lumsden and company unleashed with the ball. The right-arm quick ripped through the New Zealand top order and later returned to wipe out the tail, reaffirming his standing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
It was no surprise that he was awarded the Player of the Match accolade. Speaking after the match, the 17 year old Lumsden from Hampshire said he had one plan and it was simple.“Hit the top of the stumps, bowl a bit slower and use the variable bounce. I tried to keep everything straight and give myself a chance, and the pitch helped by doing most of the work.” He said the win gave the team momentum as they enter the semi-finals and hopefully they would lift the trophy at the end.
“The win gives us a lot of momentum going into the knockout games and keeps us pushing forward as a team. Hopefully we can (lift the trophy). We believe we’ve got the skill in the dressing room and everyone is confident.
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We’ll throw everything at it and see what happens.” He said such moments make him proud to be representing his country.“It’s a great feeling. I’ve watched cricket for as long as I can remember, so representing England on a global stage like this makes me really proud, and the support back home means a lot.” He gave advice to young cricketers in Zimbabwe.“Just keep focusing on your process, focus on that next ball, what you’re going to bowl, be really clear on that, run up with a plan and just don’t hold back in a way, just commit 100 percent to what you’re trying to do every single ball and you’ll reap the rewards.” New Zealand’s chase was derailed early when Lumsden removed Hugo Bogue and skipper Tom Jones, leaving the Kiwis scrambling. Only Snehith Reddy’s 47 offered meaningful resistance as wickets fell steadily, with New Zealand eventually dismissed for 169 in 38.5 overs.
Put in to bat, England showed patience and discipline. Opener Ben Dawkins anchored the innings with 42, while Ben Mayes struck a composed 53 to steady the middle order. Caleb Falconer’s fluent 47 kept the scoreboard ticking, and Farhan Ahmed’s unbeaten 29 off 23 balls ensured England finished strongly.
New Zealand’s bowlers worked hard without consistent rewards.Snehith Reddy (2/28) led the attack, while Mason Clarke and Sebastian Morgan picked up two wickets apiece, but England’s depth allowed them to bat out the full quota. Chasing 235, New Zealand never found momentum against a disciplined England attack. Lumsden was devastating, while Sebastian Morgan (2/38) provided solid support. Alex Green (1/25) and Farhan Ahmed (1/20) kept things tight as England’s fielding squeezed the life out of the chase.New Zealand were bowled out for 169, handing England a commanding win that strengthens their Super Six campaign.
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