Cricket: Teens too polished for Dutch

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New Zealand opened their account at the under-19 cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka with a comfortable win over group B rivals the Netherlands.

New Zealand, the beaten finalists two years ago in South Africa, strolled to an easy 151-run win after scoring 206 for six in their reduced allotment of 32 overs.

The Netherlands never posed a challenge, and they were restricted to 55 for nine when the match ended.

Rain at the match venue in Matara saw each innings reduced by 18 overs, but that mattered little to the New Zealanders, who reached 85 in the 16th over before their opening partnership was broken.

The New Zealanders maintained the pressure in the field, reducing the Netherlands to 28 for four in the early stages.

The result was then put beyond doubt when the Netherlands lost another four wickets for no runs to slump to 38 for eight.

Gareth Hayne's three for nine was the best haul for the Kiwis, while Nathan McCullum was even more parsimonious in taking two for five off seven. Opening bowler Ian Butler also excelled with two for 10.

New Zealand's next group match is against Bangladesh in Galle today.

In other matches, India beat Bangladesh by 122 runs while Pakistan beat Kenya by eight wickets.

South Africa also appeared en route to an easy victory over Nepal before rain drenched the ground, giving each team a point.

- NZPA