Brathwaite misses century but WI warm up with easy win

BUDERIM—Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell just short of a century as West Indies Under-19s enhanced their preparation for the Youth World Cup with a 13-run victory over hosts Australia Under-19s in their first official warm-up match here yesterday. The right-hander, who has played nine Tests but recently fell out of favour because of poor form, stroked 96 as the Young Windies, sent in at Kev Hackney Oval, tallied 235 for six off their 50 overs. In reply, Ashton Turner belted 80 batting at number nine but the Aussies fell short at 222 for nine. Left-arm seamer Jerome Jones was outstanding with two for 15 while spinners Amir Khan (2-18) and Akeal Hosein (2-24) also finished with two wickets apiece.

“The fast bowlers did a good job with the new ball but also in the middle of the innings to keep things going for us,’” said the West Indies captain Brathwaite. He gave his side a solid start by helping to add 61 for the first wicket with Sunil Ambris who got 40 from 59 balls with seven fours.

 

The 19-year-old Brathwaite was his typically obdurate self, striking eight fours off 123 balls, as he also anchored two other key partnerships. When Ambris was run out in the 17th over, he put on another 66 for the second wicket with John Campbell (39) before adding a further another 80 for the third wicket with Kyle Mayers, who stroked 41. Campbell hammered three fours and a six off 55 balls while Mayers counted five fours and a six in a breezy 50-ball innings. Off-spinner Turner grabbed five for 47 to lead Australia’s attack. In their turn at the crease, Australia slumped to 41 for three in the 13th over behind a lethal opening burst from Jones who sent down seven outstanding overs. The Aussies recovered somewhat through a 48-run fourth wicket partnership between Sam Hain (49) and captain William Bosisto (24), before left-arm spinner Hosein struck twice in the space of three overs to put the Windies on top. When Hain and Jimmy Peirson (3) fell to leg-spinner Khan in successive overs, Australia seemed down and out at 126 for seven in the 38th. But Turner played a blinder off just 90 balls to give the Windies a small scare. West Indies will take on Namibia in their second and final warm-up match today in Brisbane before turning their attention to their opening tournament game against India in Group C on Sunday. CMC