USA U19 Women Secure Series Advantage After West Indies Women’s Collapse.

Eboni Brathwaite’s electrifying half-century illuminated the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, but her heroics were ultimately in vain as the United States Women’s Under-19 team clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory over the West Indies Women’s Under-19s in the fourth Youth T20 International. This nail-biting encounter saw fortunes swing dramatically, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats until the final ball. The victory propelled the visitors to a 2-1 lead in the six-match series, intensifying the pressure on the hosts to stage a comeback in the remaining two matches.

Brathwaite’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting. Her 53 runs off just 37 balls, punctuated by five boundaries and four towering sixes, provided a much-needed spark to the West Indies innings. She single-handedly defied the disciplined US bowling attack, briefly resurrecting hopes of a competitive total. Her partnership with Brianna Harricharan for the fourth wicket yielded 65 crucial runs, offering a glimmer of hope for the home side. However, Brathwaite’s unfortunate run-out in the 16th over triggered a catastrophic collapse, with the West Indies losing their last five wickets for a mere 18 runs. This sudden implosion left them with a below-par total of 89 for eight, a score that looked increasingly vulnerable as the US began their chase.

The US bowlers deserve immense credit for their disciplined and strategic performance. Saanvi Immadi spearheaded the attack with impressive figures of 3 for 23, while Aditi Kumar (2 for 9) and Maahi Madhavan (2 for 18) applied the brakes on the West Indies scoring rate in the crucial middle and death overs. Their combined efforts effectively stifled the West Indies batting line-up, preventing them from capitalizing on the momentum generated by Brathwaite’s explosive innings. This disciplined bowling performance set the stage for a thrilling chase, putting the onus on the US batters to chase down a seemingly modest target.

Despite defending a low total, the West Indies bowlers displayed remarkable fighting spirit, refusing to surrender without a fight. Captain Samara Ramnath led the charge with an economical spell of 2 for 12, while Naijanni Cumberbatch and Brianna Harricharan also contributed significantly, each claiming two wickets for 14 runs. Their combined effort created immense pressure on the US batters, reducing them to 69 for seven and raising the prospect of a dramatic West Indies victory. The game hung precariously in the balance, with the momentum shifting back and forth between the two teams.

However, the US batters demonstrated composure and resilience in the crucial final stages of the match. Maahi Madhavan, who had earlier impressed with the ball, returned to play a match-winning cameo, scoring an unbeaten 10 runs. She found a valuable ally in Taranum Chopra, who also remained unbeaten on nine, as the pair forged an unbroken 23-run partnership to steer the US to victory with four balls to spare. Their calm and collected approach under pressure proved decisive, silencing the home crowd and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Earlier in the US innings, Chetna Pagydyala and Sainavi Kambalapalli provided vital contributions at the top of the order, both scoring 19 runs. Their innings laid the foundation for the chase, ensuring the US remained in contention despite losing wickets at regular intervals. This crucial partnership set the stage for the late-innings heroics of Madhavan and Chopra, who ultimately guided their team across the finish line. With the series now firmly in their grasp, the US will be looking to seal the deal in the remaining matches, while the West Indies will be aiming to bounce back and level the series. The stage is set for a thrilling climax to this closely contested youth T20 series.