U-19 cricket team wins Africa ICC Division Two championship

The national U-19 cricket team is expected to receive a rosy welcome when the team lands at the Kotoka International Airport tomorrow after their triumph in the ICC Africa Division Two cricket tournament in South Africa.

Ghana made 28 runs for zero in 4.3 overs in the second innings to outran Nigeria’s 27 runs for 10 wickets in 15.4 overs to emerge as winners by 10 wickets.

Ghana, who were unbeaten in the tournament, opened their descent campaign with a win over Botswana, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania before recording a 10 wickets victory in the last game over the weekend to put a seal on the triumph in the seven-day tournament.

The lads were motivated by the presence and the words of encouragements from Ghana’s ambassador to South Africa His Excellency Kwesi Ahwoi ahead of the final game which won the trophy.

Ghana’s Joseph Aboagye was adjudged the Best Bowler of the tournament having bowled 294 balls. Out of 6 games, he has given away 107 runs taken 21 wickets, made 3 times of 5 wickets in a match in 9 maidens with an average of 5.10 and scoring rate of 14.00.

His sterling performance was climaxed after winning Most Valuable Player having made 1.08 batting and 71.91 bowling.

He joins compatriot Kelvin Marko Awala as the only Ghanaian players selected among the 12 man Dream Team of the tournament with Kelvin Marko Awala placing second on the fielding chart with 5 catches.

The feat chalked by team led by Vice-president of Ghana Cricket Association Mr Kwame Asare, Henry Ackom and the technical handlers has put Ghana on top of its peers in the division.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuije, who has been monitoring the team’s performance since their departure to South Africa, told Finder Sports that the team deserved a heroic reception for their sterling performance.

Youth cricket academies in the country, namely: Nsoroma Cricket Academy, Turf Cricket Academy Teshie Cricket Academy, and City cricket Club produced the players who made the nation so proud at the tournament.

The victory has qualified Ghana for the ICC Africa Division One to be played next year at a yet-to-be-named venue and will serve as a platform for the winner to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2019 in New Zealand.