Cricket: NZ stroll to second victory in U-19 World Cup

Doug Bracewell (left) and Craig Cahopa celebrate the win over Zimbabwe. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand eased to their second win of the cricket under-19 World Cup with a seven-wicket trouncing of Zimbabwe at Bert Sutcliffe Oval near Christchurch.

Despite conceding 28 extras, New Zealand's bowling attack did well to dismiss Zimbabwe for 135 in 42.2 overs.

A century opening stand between Harry Boam and Tom Latham deflated the opposition further as the hosts cantered home in the 26th over.

Each of New Zealand's first three bowlers used picked up a couple of wickets to keep Zimbabwe on the mat, but apart from offspinner Tim Johnston, everyone who turned their arm over bowled wides.

The 28 extras were the joint highest contribution to Zimbabwe's total alongside the 28 scored by Tinotenda Mutombodzi as he put on 29 for the seventh wicket with Natsai Mushangwe (25). Johnston picked up good figures of 3 for 27, picking off Zimbabwe's middle order with ease.

Latham and Boam chipped away at the modest target with ease, playing an array of shots either side of the track, with Latham especially driving well through the covers and down the ground.

Calum Price picked up two wickets to momentarily put the chase down a notch, but Latham's unbeaten 57 sealed the deal in the 26th over.

After two big losses, Afghanistan bounced back with an eight-wicket win over Hong Kong in Christchurch.

Noor ul-Haq's decision to field was vindicated by his bowlers, in particular five-wicket hero Zakiullah Zaki, and a target of 138 was knocked off with ease in 31 overs thanks to Javed Ahmadi's unbeaten 90, which included nine fours and three sixes.

With their third straight loss, Hong Kong have been knocked out of the tournament.

The United States became the second team to crash out of the tournament, with a superb century from Paul Stirling leading Ireland to a five-wicket victory in Queenstown.

Fifties to Steven Taylor and Saqib Saleem had put USA on track for a more substantial total than their eventual 217, but a collapse triggered by a return spell from new-ball bowler Craig Young and Lee Nelson's part-time offspin had them folding in 48.1 overs.

At 168 for three in the 37th over USA were still well placed but the last six wickets fell for 49 runs and the eventual total disappointed.

Ireland lost two early wickets but Stirling carried the chase superbly and when he was eventually dismissed for a 102-ball 114, Ireland needed just nine to win.

West Indies won their second in a row and knocked out Papua New Guinea with a five-wicket win in Palmerston North.

Having opted to field, West Indies did well to set themselves a target of 188 and chased that down with two sizeable hands proving key.

Yannic Cariah, man of the match in West Indies' thrilling last-over win against Bangladesh two days again, was again among the wickets.

His legbreaks continued to flummox PNG, who lost four of their first five wickets to Cariah. Sese Bau's 50 and 30 from Jason Kila staved off West Indies' charge somewhat, but PNG's total was not enough.

Helped by a brisk 118-run stand for the fifth wicket between opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, West Indies cantered home in the 36th over.

- NZPA