South Africa, New Zealand post easy wins in U-19 World Cup quarters

Opener Kyle Verreynne led the way with a patient half-century as South Africa thrashed Ireland by eight wickets in the Plate Championship of the Under-19 World Cup.

In the day's other plate encounter, Glenn Phillips' blitz helped New Zealand to cruise past Scotland with a seven-wicket victory.

The Proteas team's chase of 186 was fuelled by Verreynne's 77 that was laced with seven boundaries and a six.

His opening partnership of 104 runs with Liam Smith (49) laid the foundation at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Wiaan Mulder also produced a useful innings later on during the chase, scoring an unbeaten 43 runs off 70 balls.

Adam Dennison (1 for 27) and Tucker (1 for 53) were the only wicket-takers in a dismal Irish bowling performance.

Sent in to field first, Proteas pacer Dayyaan Galiem picked up two early wickets to leave Ireland struggling at 4 for 50. But Lorcan Tucker (77 not out) held on for the Irish and took his team to 185 for 7.

Galiem (2 for 22) and Willem Ludick (2 for 43) picked up a couple of wickets each for South Africa.

In the other match, Phillips starred for the Kiwis, smashing 89 runs off 40 deliveries. He studded his innings with 11 boundaries and six sixes.

The right-handed opener's blistering knock helped New Zealand blaze to the 182-run target in just 27 overs.

Phillips shared an opening partnership of 98 runs off 70 deliveries with Daniel Stanley (9), who watched on from the other end as his partner led an onslaught.

Josh Finnie (30) and Finn Allen (31) coasted to the convincing victory after leg-spinner Haris Aslam had sent Phillips back to the hutch.

Aslam returned 2 for 37 while Mitchell Rao chipped in with a wicket.

Electing to bat, Scotland were off to a good start before they started to lose wickets at regular intervals. Owais Shah was their top scorer with 32 runs off 66 balls.

Left-arm pacer Ross ter Braak returned figures of 3 for 34 for the Kiwis, while Felix Murray (2 for 31) and Nathan Smith (2 for 37) claimed two wickets each.

Brief scores:

Ireland: 185/7 (Lorcan Tucker 77 n.o.; Dayyaan Galiem 2/22, Willem Ludick 2/43) lost to South Africa 187/2 (Kyle Verreynne 77) by eight wickets.

Scotland: 181/9 (Owais Shah 32; Ross ter Braak 3/34) lost to New Zealand 185/3 (Glenn Phillips 89; Haris Aslam 2/37) by seven wickets.