Cape Town-born Tanguy Durrant played a key role in helping France beat Isle of Man in their Under-19 World Cup European Qualifier.
Cape Town-born Tanguy Durrant was instrumental in helping France secure a victory against the Isle of Man in their Under-19 World Cup European Qualifier in Albertslund, Denmark, on Tuesday.
France won the toss and elected to bat, posting a formidable total of 269/9. Durrant top-scored with 70 runs off just 48 balls, boasting an impressive strike rate of 145.83. His innings included nine fours and two well-struck sixes.
Durrant, now 17, resides in Putney, South West London, and qualifies to play for France through his French mother.
Sajad Stanikzay contributed 61 runs from 82 balls, while opener Hussnain Afzal added 40 runs from 55 balls to bolster France’s total.
Confident ahead of Isle of Man’s innings, Durrant stated, “It’s a good pitch for batting and we’ll have to bowl well to come out on top. We have confidence in our bowling attack and as long as we field to our high standards, we are perhaps slight favourites.”
Durrant’s confidence was well-placed as France bowled out their opponents for just 83 runs in 29.1 overs, clinching the match by a dominant 186-run margin.
When asked about his future aspirations, Durrant expressed a desire to potentially represent South Africa one day. “I’m proud to represent France, but would love to also represent South Africa. Perhaps as an adult I will be selected to be a Protea.”
Durrant shared his admiration for AB de Villiers, stating that he has always played with the number 17, and is particularly thrilled about having an ESPNcricinfo profile, which surpasses many of his club friends.
France and the Isle of Man, along with hosts Denmark, are among the eight countries competing at this year’s Under-19 World Cup European Qualifiers. The other nations include Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Sweden, and Belgium. The qualifiers began on Wednesday, 24 July, and will conclude on Tuesday, 30 July.
HISTORY OF UNDER-19 WORLD CUP
The ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is an international cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council. It was first contested in 1988 and is now held every two years. The tournament features national under-19 teams and initially had only eight participants. Every subsequent edition has included 16 teams. South Africa has won the tournament once.
ABOUT THE EUROPEAN U19 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
In July this year, three new countries will have the opportunity to host an ICC event for the first time. Italy, Germany, and Denmark will join seasoned hosts Scotland and Guernsey in a busy summer of ICC pathway cricket in Europe in 2024. A record 30 countries will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifiers, with three tournaments occurring between June and August in Italy, Germany, and Guernsey.
DENMARK HOSTS U19 MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP EUROPE DIVISION 2 QUALIFIER
In July, Denmark will debut as hosts of an ICC pathway event with the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Division 2 Qualifier. The tournament, played in the 50-over format, will feature eight teams and will utilize four grounds across Copenhagen to accommodate the action-packed schedule. A minimum of two teams from this event will progress to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier in the summer of 2025, with the ultimate goal of participating in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.
