Cricket: Southee shines at under-19 World Cup

An extraordinary display of power hitting from Tim Southee helped New Zealand avoid a humiliating defeat to Ireland at the under-19 cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka yesterday.

Already relegated from the top flight, New Zealand won the plate championship quarter-final by three wickets with five balls to spare after overhauling Ireland's imposing 304/9.

New Zealand's cause looked hopeless when they slipped to 150/4 after 32 overs before Southee struck 92 from 55 balls as he and Andrew de Boorder, with 87 off 103, put on 95 for the fifth wicket.

Southee, promoted to No 6, set about the Irish attack, with four fours and six sixes in stiflingly hot conditions.

It represented a huge escape for the New Zealanders, who had earlier watched as Irish captain Eion Morgan scored 124 off 122 deliveries despite fast bowler Hamish Bennett impressing with figures of 4-31 off six overs.