The first game in the group and the 3rd game of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 between Nigeria and Samoa was washed out without a ball being bowled. South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke clinched the 2nd game of the group against New Zealand by 22 runs in a rain-curtailed encounter at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Kuching.
Nigeria led by skipper Lucy Piety was up against New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin in the 3rd game of the group and the 11th match of the tournament at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Kuching. Samoa led by skipper Avetia Mapu was up against South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke in the 4th game of the group and the 14th match of the tournament at the venue.
Nigeria U19 stunned New Zealand U19 courtesy of a spirited performance from the bowlers
The rains before the start of play forced another curtailed 13-overs-per-side contest in Group C between Nigeria led by skipper Lucky Piety and New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin.
New Zealand got off to a good start as they picked up the wicket of Victory Igbinedion in the 2nd over of the innings. Hannah O’Connor provided the first breakthrough for New Zealand. Lillian Udeh joined Peculiar Agboya at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 23-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to lead some sort of a recovery for their side. Peculiar Agboya was found short of her crease to provide the 2nd breakthrough for New Zealand.
It also turned out to be the highest partnership of the innings with the bat for Nigeria. They posted a competitive total of 65/6 in their quota of 13 overs. Skipper Lucky Piety (19 off 25 balls), and Lillian Udeh (18 off 22 balls) were the stand-out performers, while wicket-keeper batter Omosigho Eguakun (9 off 4 balls) provided the finishing touches with the bat for Nigeria.
Anika Tauwhare (3-0-6-1), skipper Tash Wakelin (2-0-6-1), Hannah O’Connor (2-0-11-1), Anika Todd (3-0-18-1), and Hannah Francis (1-0-4-1) picked up a wicket each with the ball for New Zealand. Chasing a target of 66, the White Ferns got off to a poor start, losing both their openers inside the first three overs of the run chase.
Anika Todd joined Eve Wolland at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 24-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to lead some sort of a recovery for their side. Lillian Udeh picked up the wicket of Eve Wolland (14 off 15 balls) to provide the much-needed 3rd breakthrough for Nigeria. The Nigerian bowlers eventually managed to hold their nerve as they restricted New Zealand to 63/6 in their quota of 13 overs, falling two runs short of the target.
A brilliant final over from the skipper Lucky Piety sealed a historic victory for her side, their first-ever at the World Cup. Anika Todd (19 off 27 balls), and skipper Tash Wakelin (18 off 18 balls) were impressive with the bat for New Zealand. Lillian Udeh (3-0-8-1) was the stand-out performer with the ball, while Adeshola Adekunle (3-0-14-1), and Usen Peace (2-0-5-1) played their part with the ball for Nigeria.
Proteas U19 bowlers pounce on debutants Samoa U19 to wrap them up in quick time
The South African bowlers ran through the Samoan batting line-up to wrap up their innings for just 16, in the 10th over of the innings, after the South African skipper Kayla Reyneke won the toss and opted to field first. None of the Samoan batters survived at the crease for more than 10 balls in their innings. It is also the lowest total in the brief history of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup.
Nthabiseng Nini (2-0-4-3), Seshnie Naidu (2-2-0-2), Fay Cowling (2-0-4-2), and skipper Kayla Reyneke (2-0-5-2) were exceptional with the ball for South Africa. The South African openers Jemma Botha (6* off 4 balls), and Simone Lourens (6* off 6 balls) wiped off the 17-run target in just the 2nd over of the run chase to seal a dominating victory by 10 wickets and 110 balls to spare.
Loves all things female cricket
