New Zealand's up and coming cricketers notched their first win in four matches in Sri Lanka overnight, thrashing minnows Uganda by 122 runs at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
The win came on the back of half centuries from Todd Astle and Kieran Noema-Barnett and a five wicket burst from
man of the match Dean Bartlett.
The win followed losses in two warm-up games on tour and to Bangladesh in New Zealand's first match of the world cup.
Sent into bat by Uganda in Colombo, New Zealand made 259 for six from their 50 overs, with opener Astle and Noema-Barnett each making 67.
Despite Astle's patient innings, scored off 113 balls, New Zealand slipped to 152-5 and needed substantial contributions from No 6 Noema-Barnett and No 7 Roland Karaitiana (43 not out) to post a good score.
Noema-Barnett's runs came off just 47 balls, and included four sixes and three fours.
In reply, Bartlett wrecked the Ugandan top order, claiming the first four wickets to reduce Uganda to 40-4, from where the outcome was never in doubt.
Bartlett picked up one more wicket to finish with 5-30 and the man of the match award.
"Back home a few people told us it was a spinner's paradise but a couple of the New Zealand A players said some of the pitches had some grass on them," he said.
"Today I cut down my pace and concentrated on line and length, getting the ball in the right areas and it worked."
New Zealand need to win their final group match against Pakistan on Friday night (NZ time) to have any hope of progressing to the next stage of the tournament, with only the top two teams from each pool to qualify for the quarterfinals.
"We definitely have to win that match and that creates pressure but Pakistan will start as favourites and we have nothing to lose," Bartlett said.
"We just need to carry on. We have not played to our full potential but there is a lot left in the tank."
- NZPA
