New Zealand dominate Ireland

Outstanding performance: New Zealand’s Natasha Codyre of the under-19 squad receives the Player of the Match medal from Chris Tetley, head of events for ICC. New Zealand beat Ireland last night by nine wckets to advance to the next round at the first ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup tournament in South Africa. ICC picture

Gisborne's Kayley Knight delivered the killer blow to Ireland's batting struggle as New Zealand made it two from two at the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Knight claimed the last wicket and her first of the tournament in bowling tailender Ellie McGee en route to a nine-wicket win at JB Marks Oval in Potechefstroom.

New Zealand beat Indonesia by 10 wickets in their campaign opener on Monday and their win over Ireland put them top of Group C on net run rate from West Indies, who have also won both their games.

Poverty Bay and Northern Brave representative Knight ended McGee's three ball-innings for one run as Ireland were all out for 74 in 18.1 overs.

Knight took 1-11 in 3.1 overs against Ireland after going wicketless (0-20 from 4 overs) in a similarly dominant performance against Indonesia at North-West University Oval.

New Zealand won that match by 10 wickets after racking up 77 in the 10th over in reply to Indonesia's 74-7 from their 20 overs.

Knight is not a bowler who relies on great movement of the ball in the air or off the seam; rather she bowls tight line and length with excellent consistency at good pace.

She bowls a fair bouncer, which is useful to have on hard decks in the Republic, and is no doubt relishing the prospect of meeting the West Indies at JB Marks Oval in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday.

Both New Zealand and the West Indies have already qualified for Super 6 group play to start on January 21.

Their Friday clash will decide who tops Group C.