England beat Japan in ICC U19 World Cup Plate quarter-final

​Dan Mousley smashed 57 off 36 balls as England cruised to victory over Japan in the ICC U19 World Cup Plate quarter-final in Potchefstroom.

Japan set England 94 to win, with the Young Lions reaching the total in the 12^th over for the loss of a single wicket.

Scott Currie and Hamidullah Qadri each took three wickets, with Joey Evison taking two in balls in the 30^th over. Lewis Goldsworthy continued his fine, economical form, taking one wicket for seven runs in his seven overs.

Qadri has now taken 11 wickets in the tournament at an average of 11.09, while Goldsworthy’s economy rate of 2.03 from 32 overs is the best of any bowler with more than 11 overs bowled in the tournament.

Mousley hit seven fours and two sixes in his half-century, putting on 53 with Sam Young (16) for the first wicket. Young was bowled by Max Clements for 16 and Mousley was joined at the crease by Jordan Cox, who also scored 16, with the pair seeing England home.

George Hill, captaining the side in place of George Balderson, said: “It’s great to get another win under our belts as we try to progress to the Plate final.

“Our bowlers did really well to keep on task as the Japan top order occupied the crease for the first 30 overs and we showed our clinical side to take the final eight wickets in quick succession.

“Dan has had a fine tournament with the bat so far, so it was a good opportunity for him to move to the top of the order and he didn’t let us down with his half-century.”

England will play again on Friday against the winner of the clash between Zimbabwe and Canada for a place in the Plate final.