An impressive all-round performance from Darren Bravo ensured victory for the West Indies against Sri Lanka in their first warm-up game of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.
Bravo, younger brother of senior player Dwayne, took 2-3 with the ball as Sri Lanka struggled to 174 all out after 47.5 overs. He then showed what he can do with bat in hand, scoring 43 not out, including four fours and a six, to see his side home by four wickets at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Despite Kyle Corbin giving the lads from the Caribbean a solid start with a well-made 39, the team was in somewhat of a precarious position at 95-5 when Bravo went in to bat. But the Trinidadian never looked troubled and made sure the job was done, facing 54 balls in what was a well-paced knock.
Andre Creary was the pick of the West Indies’ bowling ending up with figures of 3-20 with only Imesh Udayanga (43) getting into his stride for Sri Lanka.
Despite the defeat, there will be some positives to take out of this game for Sri Lanka as Chatura Peiris (3-26) and Sachith Pathirana (2-42) showed themselves to be more than capable with the ball.
Meanwhile at the Royal Military College, Australia had a simple win over Zimbabwe. The Africans slumped to 57 all out with Australia’s Steven Smith bagging 5-21 and David King chipping in with 2-6. In reply, Australia’s openers took just 7.2 overs to knock off the runs with Philip Hughes dominating proceedings, his 31-ball unbeaten 40 setting up a 10-wicket victory.
At Kilat Club, Nepal proved that it is not to be overlooked in this tournament by beating debutants Bermuda by 188 runs. The Asia Region qualifier made an impressive 256-8 in 50 overs thanks to an innings of 63 from captain Paresh Khadka as well as 37 from Gyanendra Malla and other contributions.
Malachi Jones, who played for the Bermuda senior during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, took three wickets while team-mate Jordan de Silva managed 2-31. But Bermuda’s batting could not stand up to the discipline of the Nepal bowlers, collapsing to 68 all out in the 25th over.
Two Nepal bowlers, Raj Shrestha and Amrit Bhattarai, took three wickets apiece while skipper Khadka capped a good all-round performance for him with 2-12.
At Aman CC, South Africa comfortably saw off the challenge of Namibia, chasing down the modest total of 106, losing just one wicket along the way.
Scores in brief:
At Kilat Cricket Club, Nepal beat Bermuda by 188 runs
Nepal 256-8, 50 overs (Paresh Khadka 63, Gyanendra Malla 37; Malachi Jones 3-61, Jordan de Silva 2-31)
Bermuda 68 all out, 24.1 overs (Raj Shrestha 3-7, Amrit Bhattarai 3-25, Paresh Khadka 2-12)
At Selangor Turf Club, West Indies beat Sri Lanka by four wickets
Sri Lanka 174 all out, 47.5 overs (Imesh Udayanga 43; Andre Creary 3-20, Darren Bravo 2-3)
West Indies 177-6, 40.4 overs (Darren Bravo 43 not out, Kyle Corbin 39; Chathura Peiris 3-26, Sachith Pathirana 2-42)
At Royal Military College, Australia beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets
Zimbabwe 57 all out, 28.3 overs (Steven Smith 5-21, David King 2-6)
Australia 60-0, 7.2 overs (Philip Hughes 40 not out)
At Club Aman, South Africa beat Namibia by nine wickets
South Africa Namibia 106 all out, 30.2 overs (S Silver 28)
South Africa 107-1, 18 overs (Pieter Malan 34 ret., Jon-Jon Smuts 50 ret.)
Remaining warm-up fixtures:
13 February – Malaysia v Papua New Guinea, Kilat Club; New Zealand v Ireland, Selangor Turf Club; India v England, Royal Military College.
14 February – Sri Lanka v South Africa, Kilat Club; Bermuda v Namibia, Selangor Turf Club; Zimbabwe v Nepal, Royal Military College; West Indies v Australia, Club Aman.
© ICC
Cricket World.com – For all the latest international cricket news, reports, live international and county cricket scores; broadband radio and TV; free audio commentary; exclusive interviews, women’s cricket, club cricket, youth cricket and disabled cricket news.
