Women's Under-19 World Cup wrap: Grace Scrivens stars for England, Australia thump India

The Cricketer reports on events at the ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa

The inaugural edition of the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup is underway in South Africa, two years after originally planned. Today was the first day of the Super 6 stage, with four matches taking place.

Sixteen teams are taking part in the 2023 edition, split across four groups of four. Following a single round-robin, the top three teams in each group will progress into the Super 6 stage, from which the top two sides in Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals.

The final will take place in Potchefstroom on Sunday, January 29.

^{Hannah Baker celebrates a wicket [ECB]; Grace Scrivens was named player of the match [ICC]}

India 87, Australia 88-3 - Australia won by seven wickets

Australia proved once and for all that their earlier defeat against Bangladesh is behind them, inflicting a thumping seven-wicket defeat on India.

Opener Shweta Sehrawat was one of only three players to reach double figures for India, top-scoring with 21 (29) as her side were bundled out for 87. Senior internationals Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh were almost entirely absent - Milly Illingworth striking in the second over to remove the former for 8 (6) while Ghosh contributed just seven runs.

Sianna Ginger was the pick of Australia's bowlers, taking 3 for 13.

Australia wrapped up their chase inside 14 overs, with Amy Smith (26 not out off 25) and Claire Moore (25 off 28) leading with the bat.

Bangladesh 106-6, South Africa 108-5 - South Africa won by five wickets

Bangladesh's unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of hosts South Africa, who chased down 107 in 18.5 overs to complete a five-wicket win.

Bangladesh had cruised through the first round without skipping a beat, recording wins against Australia, USA and Sri Lanka, but had a tough time with the bat in the face of Kayla Reyneke, who collected 4 for 19.

Shorna Akter and Sumaiya Akter were the only players to make any impact with the bat, scoring 20 (18) and 24 (28), respectively, as their side closed on 106 for 6.

South Africa didn't have it all their own way, losing regular wickets to slip to 33 for 4 after eight overs, but a 70-run fifth-wicket stand between Madison Landsman (37 (38) and Karabo Meso (32 off 30) carried them to the brink of victory. Landsman fell with her side four runs shy of victory, leaving Meso and captain Oluhle Siyo to seal the deal.

Rabeya Khan picked up 3 for 18.

^{Sianna Ginger celebrates a wicket for Australia [ICC]}

England 207-2, Ireland 86 - England won by 121 runs

England completed a resounding 121-run victory over Ireland to move into first place in group 2, leapfrogging New Zealand on net run rate.

Batting first, Grace Scrivens and Liberty Heap once again formed an electric partnership at the top of the order, sharing a 136-run stand off 12.4 overs before Heap was bowled by Aimee Maguire for 42 (29). Scrivens fell for 93 (56) three overs later, bowled by Freya Sargent. 

Unfortunately for Ireland, their respective departures did little to slow the run rate, with Niamh Holland (34 off 21) and Seren Smale (30 off 14) carrying England beyond the 200-mark at close.

In reply, Ireland found themselves four down in the powerplay following two run outs and wickets for Hannah Baker (3 for 9) and Scrivens.

Abbi Harrison (16 off 23), captain Siuin Woods (13 off 16) and Maguire (14 off 15) offered some resistance with the bat before three quick wickets from Sophia Smale (3 for 11) put England on the brink of victory. Two wickets from Baker in the 17th over sealed the points, with Ireland all out for 86.

Rwanda 96-7, New Zealand 99-6 - New Zealand won by four wickets

New Zealand suffered a scare against Rwanda in Potchefstroom before recovering to chase down 97 with four wickets and 23 balls to spare.

Izzy Sharp's side delivered yet another strong performance with the ball to restrict their opponents to 96 for 7. Gisele Ishimwe (27) and Henriette Ishimwe (30) scored the bulk of the runs for Rwanda while Kate Chandler picked up 2 for 21.

However, two wickets in three balls for Rosine Irera (3 for 21) had New Zealand 9 for 2 after just nine deliveries.

Despite wickets continuing to fall at regular intervals, it would prove to be just a minor hiccup, with a half-century from opener Emma McLeod (59 off 39) ensuring New Zealand remained on course for victory.

^{Rosine Irera had New Zealand wobbling with two early wickets [ICC]}

India v Sri Lanka (Potchefstroom - 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)

Following Saturday's result, group 1 has been blown wide open, with four teams - including India - nestled together with four points apiece.

India, currently in second position, can take a big step towards the semi-finals with victory over Sri Lanka but will certainly have one eye on the net run rate column. Defeat, however, would leave them reliant on results elsewhere going their way. 

Sri Lanka have only won one match in the tournament to date, beating USA by seven wickets, but did run Bangladesh close, losing by 10 runs. They will be hoping for a strong all-round performance from Dewmi Vihanga.

West Indies v Rwanda (Potchefstroom - 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)

Following their defeat againt New Zealand, Rwanda are out of contention for the semi-finals but will be looking to end their campaign on a high against West Indies.

Irera (four wickets), Gisele Ishimwe (102 runs at a strike rate of 102) and Henriette Ishimwe (60 runs, six wickets) have been the standout performers for the African side.

West Indies, meanwhile, need to win both of their remaining matches and hope for a net run rate-related miracle in order to overhaul either England or New Zealand at the top of the table.

In the group stages, they defeated Ireland (seven runs) and Indonesia (77 runs), with Zaida James (112 run at a rate of 102.75, including two half-centuries, and five wickets) their most impressive player.