West Indies Under-19s continued to struggle with the bat in the current tri-series with England and Sri Lanka on Tuesday, going under by one-wicket at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua.
After winning the opening match of the series against England, the West Indies have now lost their last two matches, starting with one against the English before Tuesday’s heartbreaking loss.
On Tuesday, they batted first and again struggled to put together meaningful partnerships as they crashed to 137-9 in 50 overs. Their bowlers responded well but in the end Sonal Dinusha, with an unbeaten 46 and a last wicket partnership of 37 runs with Amshi DeSilva, took Sri Lanka over the line at 138-9.
T&T’s Jayden Seales and fellow pacer Nyeem Young made early inroads but Dinusha stood firm to forge useful associations late down the order to take the visitors over the line. At 101-9, it looked as if the West Indies could have taken the win but everything they threw at DeSilva and Dinusha was met with stout resistance. In the end, Dinusha got his 46 off 63 balls with four fours while DeSilva made 10 invaluable runs.
Earlier, the West Indies batsmen struggled to come to terms with the spin of the Sri Lankans, as only Kevlon Anderson and Ashmead Nedd provided resistance. Anderson hit a tachful 43 off 69 balls with one four while Nedd got 21 off 45 balls, also with one hit to the fence. The shared a 37-run eighth-wicket partnership or else things would have been far worse for the hosts.
Bowling for Sri Lanka, Kavindu Nadeeshan nabbed 4/20 while DeSilva took 3/18.
The next match in the series will see the West Indies battling England tomorrow at the same venue.
SCORES
Tuesday:
WEST INDIES 137-9 (50) (Kevlon Anderson 43, Ashmead Nedd 21, Kavindu Nadeeshan 4/20, Amshi DeSilva took 3/18) v SRI LANKA 139-9 (Sonal Dinusha 46no, Amshi DeSilva 10no, Jayden Seales 2/23, Ramon Simmonds 3/31, Nyeem Young 2/37)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 1 wkt
Sunday:
ENGLAND 169 all out (49.4) (Dan Mousley 487, Thomas Clarke 34, Nyeem Young 3/16, Mathhew Patrick 3/27) v WEST INDIES 140 (36.4) (Kimani Melius 46, Kirk McKenzie 33, George Balderson 4/47, Kasey Aldridge 3/32)
Result: England won by 29 runs
