An earthquake was felt during the ICC U-19 World Cup match that was being played between Zimbabwe and Ireland at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, in Trinidad, on January 29 (Saturday). Although, the match was not stopped. It was reported that the earthquake took place off the coast of Port of Spain and resulted in mild tremors. The 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred around 9:40 am on Saturday morning.
The reactions
The players did not realize the earthquake but the commentators were heard talking about it. The incident took place when Ireland spin bowler Matthew Humphreys was bowling the penultimate ball of his sixth over to Ireland’s Brain Bennett.
In the match, Zimbabwe U-19 skipper Emmanuel Bawa won the toss and elected to bat first. But the decision did not pay off as the Zimbabwe batsmen could not put up any resistance in front of Humphreys and Muzamil Sherzad. Zimbabwe innings came to an end in the 49th over after they managed to register a total of 166 runs losing their all 10 wickets.
Only four of the Zimbabwe batsmen- Steven Paul (24 runs off 41 balls), Bruan Bennett (37 runs off 56 balls), David Bennett (35 runs off 59 balls) and Tendekai Mataranyika (11 runs off 35 balls) – could manage to reach the double-digit mark.
19-year-old, fast bowler, Sherzad claimed five wickets in the match as Humphreys picked up three wickets. A more disciplined bowling from the Irish bowlers could have made things for them after they conceded 24 runs as extras.
Easy run chase
In reply; Ireland lost only two wickets and reached the target within 32 overs. Jack Dickson played a superb knock of 76 runs (not out) off 88 balls (8 boundaries and 3 sixes). Along with, Dickson, skipper Tim Tector played a solid innings of 76 runs (not out) off 94 balls.
Tector’s innings was comprised of 8 boundaries and a solitary six.
The two batsmen registered a huge partnership of 159 runs off 174 balls to claim victory for the Ireland team. For Zimbabwe, their two bowlers Mcgini Dube (1/32) and Tendekai Mataranyika (1/31) picked up a wicket each.
Ireland’s victory helped them in reaching the Plate Final.
