WI U19 Women blown away in T20 World Cup opener

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:

West Indies Under-19 Women made a disappointing start to their Under-19 T20 World Cup campaign when they were trounced by India Women Under-19s by nine wickets in their opening match yesterday.

After being sent in to bat, West Indies were routed for just 44 in 13.2 overs, with left-arm spinners Parunika Sisodia and Aayushi Shukla, along with pacer VJ Joshitha doing the bulk of the damage.

Kenika Cassar, who topscored with 15 and opener Asabi Callender, who scored 12, were the only two double digit contributors for the Windies Under-19s.

India's Under-19s then raced to 47 for one off 4.2 overs to ensure they go top of Group A.

Joshitha gave India a dream start when she had captain Samara Ramnauth (3) and Naijanni Cumberbatch dismissed in successive deliveries in the fourth over to leave the score 10 for two.

Jahzara Claxton and Brianna Harricharan also failed to trouble scorers for the West Indies, which saw them slump to 17 for four.

Callender, who opened the batting, and Cassar then added 11 for the fifth wicket - the highest partnership of the innings - before Shukla and Sisodia ran through the middle order to wrap up the innings.

Sisodia ended with 3-7, Joshitha took 2-5, while Shukla snagged 2-6.

Sanika Chalke then scored an unbeaten 18 and G Kamalini finished on 16 not out, to carry India to an easy victory following the early loss of Gongadi Trishna, who was caught and bowled by Jahzara Claxton for four.

West Indies will next face Sri Lanka in a crucial match tomorrow.

- CMC