Kristian Clarke takes a deserved team selfie after his incredible performance against the West Indies ©ICC

New Zealand defeated the West Indies at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup Super League quarter-finals in South Africa, in one of the games of the tournament.

The fans at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, would have had no clue of the drama in store, as the West Indies made a shaky start to their innings with the bat.

At 32-2, Kirk McKenzie came to the crease and helped steady the ship, as wickets continued to tumble around him.

However, on the score of 99 McKenzie was remarkably forced to leave the field with cramp.

Unfortunately, only Antonio Morris (31) and Joshua James (18) could make any significant further contributions, with McKenzie coming back onto the pitch to try and make his century.

But the Kiwis were in no mood for sentiment and he was bowled out by Kristian Clarke, with the West Indies having posted 238 all out in 47.5 overs.  

In a wonderful display of sportsmanship, the New Zealanders helped Clarke off the field.

Their run-chase started inauspiciously, with opener Ali White out for four and wickets falling at regular intervals.

Wicketkeeper Quinn Sunde weighed in with 32 and Simon Keene 33, but once the middle order crumbled, New Zealand appeared doomed at 153-8, still 86 runs from their target.

With the pressure seemingly off and defeat looking inevitable, Joey Field and Clarke began playing some shots.

Requiring 31 runs from 18 balls, the impossible suddenly seemed possible - and Clarke and Field were not to be denied, leading their team to 239-8 with two balls to spare.

Clarke's 46 not out was the highest score by a No.10 batsman in Under-19 Cricket World Cup history, while 86 rewrote the highest tournament ninth-wicket partnership.  

Throw in Clarke's bowling figures of 4 for 25 and the Player of the Match award was no surprise.

New Zealand will now face Bangladesh or South Africa (who play tomorrow) in the Super League semi-finals next Thursday (February 6).

The Plate playoff semi-finals also take place tomorrow, with Nigeria up against United Arab Emirates and Japan playing Canada.  

Tomorrow's Plate semi-finals also see Sri Lanka facing Scotland.