DUBAI – West Indies Under-19s produced a stifling bowling effort to thrash Australia Under-19s by 102 runs and level their three-match one-day series at 1-1 yesterday.
Defending their competitive 267 for nine off 50 overs at the Global Cricket Academy, West Indies bowlers reduced the Australians to 13 for three before sending them tumbling for 165 all out off 39.1 overs.
Left-arm medium pacer Jerome Jones was the architect of Australia’s demise, claiming three for 32 in a spell that undermined the middle order after Australia tried to rebuild.
Captain Sebastian Gotch topscored with 65 from 79 balls and shared a crucial 77-run stand for the third wicket with wicketkeeper James Peirson, who stroked a run-a-ball 45 with five fours and two sixes.
Gotch carried Australia’s fight with eight fours and a six but when he became Jones’ second wicket at 131 for six, West Indies took a firm grip on the contest.
Earlier, Kaven Hodge hit a topscore of 52, including six fours, off 71 balls, as West Indies flourished after being sent in.
He shared a significant 57-run seventh-wicket stand with Justin Greaves who hammered 27 from 31 balls.
Hodge was one of three wickets to fall for nine runs, but Derone Davis smashed a cameo 13-ball 32 with four fours and two sixes, to give the tail-end of the innings impetus.
The Caribbean side got a solid start of 51 from openers John Campbell (33) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite (31) and when both fell in quick succession, Anthony Alleyne (25) and Keiron Joseph (20) added 42 for the third wicket.
Hodge and Kyle Mayers (30) then posted a further 49 for the fifth wicket as West Indies found crucial partnerships.
The final one-day match is scheduled to be played tomorrow. (CMC)
