The first-ever, Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup that got underway on the 14th of January, during day 2 action in expected lines had a thriller and a few dominating displays on show. Below, we run you through the reactions that’ve been coming in on respective wins.
The days opening game between West Indies and Ireland despite being an intriguing one didn’t make a lot of chatter as a debatable event from Pakistan vs Rwanda stole the limelight.
Rwanda, batting first had a couple of their batters fail to convert starts, but not skipper, Gisele Ishimwe as her 49-ball 40, helped the side post a respectful total of 108. In the last over, Nisa spotted Niyomuhoza out of her crease and ran her out on the non-strikers’ end. Pakistan in reply comfortably chased the target down as opener, Eyman Fatima single-handedly anchored Pakistan’s run chase and finished as the highest run-scorer having struck a fine 59-ball 65*.
I get that it’s legal. I get that it’s part of the rules. But a tiny piece of my heart breaks seeing this happen at U19s level. I guess this is where the game is going… pic.twitter.com/3MzLyimii9
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) January 15, 2023
The Mankad method of run-out is defined as legal by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), but fans and a few former players expressed their disinterest in the fashion of dismissal as it’s against the spirit of the game.
Former England wicketkeeper, Jack Russell, on the dismissal Tweeted, “It’s getting out of hand, it’s not good for the game.”
We need to ban this dismissal, it’s getting out of hand, it’s not good for the game, penalise the batting team in another way… takes runs off the board if batsman do it, they wouldn’t risk doing it then let me tell you!!! #change #rules #Cricket https://t.co/0HsYDP6pWk
— Jack Russell MBE (@jackrussellart) January 15, 2023
Former England player, Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent Tweeted, “Stay in the crease!!!”
Former player, Tino Best, on the act, Tweeted, “If you’re a bowler and you running up thinking about doing this to a batsman you have NO HEART ….. it’s in the rules and I totally understand that & also I’ve seen WI U19 team won a game doing it , But come onnnnn man , if you’re thinking about doing this don’t play the game .”
While New Zealand registered a comforting win against Indonesia, it was England’s bullying win over Zimbabwe that grab all the chatter.
A steady start from the English openers provided the team with a good foundation that the middle-order-batters, Niamh Holland and Charis Pavely’s respective knocks of 37-ball 59 and 26-ball 45 powered England to post a comforting total of 199. Zimbabwe in reply lost all of their 10 wickets for single-digit scores as skipper, Grace Scrivens led the wicket columns chart having registered figures of 4/2 off her 4 overs and contributing to England’s 174-run win were Sophia Smale and Josie Groves having chipped in with respective figures of 2/5 (3) and 2/5 (2).
A Twitter user on the game wrote, “Zimbabwe need to not dwell on this result to much. England are 2nd only to Australia in being the most professional team in the tournament. They should take away the experience and learn from how the England side have gone about the game”
Zimbabwe need to not dwell on this result to much.
England are 2nd only to Australia in being the most professional team in the tournament.
They should take away the experience and learn from how the England side have gone about the game#U19T20WorldCup— Jack Rule (@JackRuleLD) January 15, 2023
Another wrote, “Zimbabwe will take a lot away from this match, will be interesting to see how England fair against more prepared opposition (NZ / Aus / SA). Scrivens 4-2 was outstanding”
Zimbabwe will take a lot away from this match, will be interesting to see how England fair against more prepared opposition (NZ / Aus / SA). Scrivens 4-2 was outstanding #U19T20WorldCup
— Adele Mitchell 🇺🇦 (@adelemitch) January 15, 2023
On skipper, Grace Scrivens’ all-round show, a user Tweeted a better caption to England Cricket, Tweeting, “‘victory’ is selling it a wee bit short there phenomenal performance by the girls and grace scrivens? oh captain, take a bow .”
‘victory’ is selling it a wee bit short there 😳
phenomenal performance by the girls and grace scrivens? oh captain, take a bow 🫡 https://t.co/MmJJ65XGq5
— paige (@paigecaunce) January 15, 2023