A report in DNA says that West Indies’ decision to shift their base to Australia ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup has provided immediate outcome for them as they defeated two time champions India by four wickets. West Indies displayed a great bowling performance and restricted India for 166. Smit Patel of India scored 51, top scoring for India.
For West Indies it was Ronsford Beaton, who finished as the most successful West Indies bowler with three for 33. He was well complemented by Kyle Mayers who returned with figures of 35 for two. In return West Indies lost two early wickets but then it was the third wicket partnership of 58 runs between John Campbell and Anthony Alleyne that rebuilt their innings.
Campbell scored 36 whereas Alleyne scored 52. Alleyne was involved in one more crucial partnership with Mayers after West Indies slipped to 71-4. He put up 58 with Mayers for the fifth wicket. Mayers scored 43.
For India Harmeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers retuning with figures of 36-3.
Meanwhile a report in the Times of India says that it was poor batting that led to India’s downfall in their opening World Cup match against West Indies.
On a slow track at the Tony Ireland stadium, the Indian colts could never get going as they were restricted to a paltry 166 for eight in their stipulated 50 overs. Lot depended on skipper Unmukt Chand (22, 61 balls, 3x4) but he failed to get going as the track was not conducive for a free-flowing stroke player like him.
Left-arm medium pacer Jerome Jones (2/23), Ronsford Beaton (3/33) and Kyle Mayers (2/35) shared the bulk of the spoils between them. Losing three quick wickets in the first fifteen overs also pegged India back.
Prashant Chopra (1), Baba Aparajith (5) and the talented Hanuman Vihari (8) were dismissed cheaply as India were struggling at 34 for three. Chand followed suit as he edged one to keeper Sunil Ambris off Mayers's bowling as India were left tottering at 50 for four.