The New Zealand Under 19s came up 73 runs short in the final one-dayer against Bangladesh, but coach Paul Wiseman said his squad will take plenty from the challenging five-game series.
NZ U19 coach Paul Wiseman believes his young squad have been “shown the level required” by Bangladesh in their 5-game series 🎥🎙 #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/DiIWqkChrP
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 13, 2019
The visiting batsmen once again showed their class with top series runs-scorer Tanzid Hasan (71 off 59) leading the way as Bangladesh posted a formidable 316 from their 50 overs.
Spin-bowling captain Jess Tashkoff (1-53) and seamer Tim Pringle 1-48) impressed with the ball through the middle as all six Kiwi bowlers picked up a wicket, including two late ones by Fergus Lellman.
The reply got off to a shaky start when left-hander Ollie White was dismissed on the first ball of the innings by stand-out seamer Shoriful Islam, who would finish with 5-43.
Lellman's impressive form continued as he righted the ship with 56 off 46 batting at number three, including seven fours and two sixes. He would finish the series as the second-highest runs scorer on 269.
A final wrap-up from Tauranga’s Fergus Lellman who top scored for the NZ U19s in today’s loss to Bangladesh in the 5th one-dayer at Lincoln #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/R4klkz6Rue
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 13, 2019
Lelllman found support from Tashkoff (39) and Jock McKenzie (47), but Bangladesh was able to pick up wickets at key times and drive up the required run-rate.
Pringle and Kristian Clarke fought to the end with some late hitting, before the NZ U19 innings closed on 243 in the 44th over, to give Bangladesh a deserved 4-1 series victory.
The NZ U19s all out for 243 in 43.4 overs as they pursued 316 in game 5. Lellman (56), JJ McKenzie (47) & Tashkoff (39). Scorecard + Video = https://t.co/oOxjKfbSfy #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/qrPdheOxLH
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 13, 2019
The NZ U19 players will return to their regions to prepare for the NZC National Under 19 tournament in December, after which a 15 strong squad will be named for next year's ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
