Cricket: Quickie Kurtley Watson takes first wicket

Kurtley Watson

Northland's Kurtley Watson made his first appearance for New Zealand at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Dubai, opening the bowling and taking his first wicket of the tournament.

Watson took the new ball for New Zealand in their ninth place play-off game against Papua New Guinea, which they won by six wickets, and chipped in with nine overs to return figures of one for 48.

While Watson's economy rate was higher than his teammates, the Maungakaramea cricketer was taking to the field for the first time in their win on Sunday night.

Having helped restrict PNG to 187, Watson wasn't required with the bat as strong performances from O'Donnell (57*) and Ken McClure (51) saw the Kiwis to victory with 22 balls to spare.

Henry Collier (33) and McClure had given New Zealand a great start, elevating their side to 100 for one. However, both batsmen fell in quick succession, leaving New Zealand in need of another strong partnership.

The skipper came to the rescue, plundering seven fours and a six and putting on an unbeaten 46-run stand with Leo Carter (8*) to see out the final runs.

Earlier, having opted to bat, PNG started well with Kiplin Doriga (50) and Riley Hekure (35) putting on 86 for the opening wicket.

The breakthrough came in the 27th over when Seifert stumped Hekure and the wickets started to tumble, threatening to ruin the platform set by the openers. Right-arm medium pacer Brett Randell finished with three for 23 from 7.3 overs.

NZ will now play the UAE in the first plate semifinal in Abu Dhabi tonight.