VISAKHAPATNAM, India – A solid all-round performance from Justin Greaves failed to spark the West Indies Under-19s yesterday, and Sri Lanka Under-19s clinched a tense two-wicket victory in the Quadrangular Youth One-day International Series in India.
Playing at the Reddy Stadium, Greaves stroked a valuable 33 and Kaveem Hodge hit the top score of 50, as the Young Windies were dismissed for 146 in 47.1 overs in their opening match of the series, a warm-up for next year’s Youth World Cup in Australia.
Greaves followed up, claiming four wickets for 26 runs from ten overs of uncomplicated medium-pace, but the Sri Lankans replied with 147 for eight.
The 17-year-old Greaves was in the thick of things early, holding the catch that dismissed Sri Lanka Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman Niroshan Dickwella for two in the second over off Ronsford Beaton.
Greaves then had Duleeka Thissakuttige caught behind for one and opener Shehan Fernando caught in the field for five, leaving the Asian side wobbling on 23 for three.
He later had Pulina Tharanga caught by WI captain Kraigg Brathwaite for two in the 16th over and Sanitha de Mel caught in the deep for 12 in the 23rd over to leave the Sri Lankans tottering on 71 for eight.
But the Windies failed to wrap up the innings, as an unbroken, ninth-wicket stand of 76 between Lahiru Madushanka, whose 42 not out was the top score, and Tharinda Kaushal, not out on 30, swept the Sri Lankans to a remarkable victory with 22 balls remaining.
The Windies also hurt their cause by delivering 22 wides, with Beaton accounting for 11 and Greaves eight.
Earlier, their batting also failed, and they sunk to 42 for five in the 16th over before Hodge and Greaves brought some respectability to the total.
Hodge hit four boundaries from 86 balls and Greaves hit just two fours from 74 balls in a crucial stand of 79 for the sixth wicket.
However, they and wicketkeeper/batsman Stephen Katwaroo all fell without the addition of a run to leave the Caribbean side 121 for eight in the 39th over. (CMC)