New Zealand are on the board and into the Super Sixes, picking up their first win of the World Cup.

The Kiwis sealed a 67-run win with a clinical bowling display that had Samoa all out for 40 in just under 15 overs.

Tournament newcomers Samoa made an impressive start in the field against the more fancied New Zealand. Both NZ openers were removed cheaply, before the side fell to 12-3 early on, attempting to set a big total in Sarawak.

Olive Lefaga Lemoe created history, taking Samoa’s first ever ICC Women’s U19 World Cup wicket, removing New Zealand star Kate Irwin caught-and-bowled for 0 off 3 balls.

Kiwi Eve Wolland was a steady hand amid a chaotic batting innings for New Zealand, ensuring a competitive total was set. Wolland’s 48 from 43 and Anika Todd’s contribution of 27 off 19 helped the side score 107-9 off 17 overs, in a match shortened by a rain delay.

Samoa couldn’t keep pace with the bat, all out for 40 off 14.2 overs.

Brief scores:
New Zealand Women Under 19s 107/9 in 17 overs [Emma McLeod 11, Anika Todd 27, Eve Wolland 48; Olive Lefaga 3-13, Norah Salima 1-24, Masina Tafea 1-10, Avetia Mapu 1-16, Verra Farane 2-17] beat  Samoa Women Under 19s 40 in 14.2 overs [Angel Sootaga 8; Sophie Court 2-05, Hannah O’Connor 1-10, Rishika Jawal 2-12, Tash Wakelin 3-03] by 67 runs

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that this year’s budget will be prepared with the objective of involving every segment of the population in the country’s economic processes.

The President expressed these views during a preliminary discussion held on Tuesday (21) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Finance regarding the formulation of the 2025 budget.

The discussion focused on the importance of establishing an efficient and productive economic system, emphasizing the necessity of strengthening public transportation and optimizing the utilization of decentralized funds allocated to Members of Parliament (MP).

The meeting explored government intervention and the steps needed to improve public transportation by providing essential facilities.

It was noted that in previous administrations, significant amounts of money were allocated to decentralized funds, but these funds were not directed toward productive projects. Attention was drawn to the need for allocating these resources toward national projects to ensure their effective utilization.

Discussions were also held on regulating the rice stocks held by producers and ensuring that loans provided to rice millers for purchasing paddy are repaid within a year.

The President emphasized the importance of extending the benefits of urban-centered economic activities to the grassroots level and actively involving them in the process, highlighting the need for an economic plan that ensures equitable distribution across all provinces.

He also pointed out deficiencies in the existing welfare distribution mechanisms, stressing the need to identify the genuinely deserving communities and expedite the delivery process to ensure timely support.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, . Mahinda Siriwardana; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, . Russell Aponsu; and Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, . A.K. Seneviratne, along with other officials.