West Indies Under-19 Team Achieves Comeback Victory Against Sri Lanka Under-19

The West Indies Under-19 cricket team secured a thrilling victory against Sri Lanka Under-19s in the first match of their seven-game Youth One-Day International series. The match, held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, saw a dramatic turn of events as Sri Lanka, seemingly cruising towards victory, collapsed spectacularly in the final overs. West Indies, after setting a target of 257, managed to defend their total by a mere 12 runs, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.

The West Indies innings, after electing to bat first, was characterized by a mix of aggressive intent and unfortunate setbacks. Opener Zachary Carter provided an explosive start with a quickfire 39, but the middle order crumbled against the accurate bowling of Sri Lankan spinner Vigneshwaran Akash, who ended with figures of 4 for 33. The home team found themselves precariously placed at 108 for 5, staring at a potentially subpar total. However, a crucial partnership between Jonathan van Lange and Matthew Miller, yielding 64 runs, resurrected the innings. Van Lange continued his resilient knock even after Miller’s dismissal, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 83. His innings, combined with valuable contributions from the lower order, propelled the West Indies to a respectable 256 all out in 49.5 overs.

Sri Lanka’s run chase began disastrously, losing four early wickets with the score at a meager 38. The West Indies pace attack, led by Matthew Miller, applied early pressure and threatened to run through the Sri Lankan batting lineup. However, a defiant partnership between Kavija Gamage and Chamika Heenatigala steadied the Sri Lankan ship. Gamage, playing the anchor role, and Heenatigala, providing the impetus, added 75 valuable runs for the fifth wicket, rescuing Sri Lanka from a precarious position. Their partnership shifted the momentum, raising hopes of a successful chase.

The dismissal of Heenatigala for 22, bowled by Zachary Carter, proved to be a turning point in the match. While the partnership had stabilized the innings, it hadn’t fully extinguished the West Indies’ hopes. A new partnership blossomed between Gamage and Adam Hilmy, who together put on a threatening 112 runs for the sixth wicket. Gamage played a masterful innings, reaching his century and seemingly guiding his team to victory. With Gamage’s anchoring presence and Hilmy’s aggressive strokeplay, Sri Lanka appeared poised to overhaul the West Indies total.

The match took a dramatic twist in the final overs. With Sri Lanka requiring just over a run a ball and Gamage well set, victory seemed within their grasp. However, Jakeem Pollard’s inspired spell of bowling turned the match on its head. He broke the crucial partnership by dismissing Gamage for a well-made 123, triggering a remarkable collapse. Following Gamage’s dismissal, the Sri Lankan batting order crumbled under pressure. Hilmy fell shortly after, and a combination of run-outs and wickets further compounded their woes. The final five wickets tumbled for a mere 19 runs, turning a comfortable chase into a stunning defeat.

The West Indies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, showcasing their resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities. Pollard finished with impressive figures of 3 for 34, playing a pivotal role in the dramatic turnaround. Racha and Miller also chipped in with two wickets apiece, complementing Pollard’s game-changing spell. Sri Lanka, despite Gamage’s heroic century, will rue their missed opportunity and the dramatic collapse that cost them the match. The second Youth ODI, scheduled for Tuesday, promises to be another exciting encounter, with both teams eager to gain an advantage in the series.