WI U19s begin World Cup campaign on winning note

WINDHOEK, Namibia (CMC):

West Indies Under-19s commenced their bid for a second ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup title in winning fashion against minnows Tanzania with a five-wicket victory yesterday.

Tanzania, playing in their first-ever Under-19 World Cup, started brightly but eventually collapsed to be all out for 122 in 34 overs after being sent in at the High Performance Oval.

West Indies were cruising at 100 for one at one stage, but lost four wickets in the space of three overs before eventually reaching 124 for five in 21 overs.

The win propelled the regional team to the top of Group D, which also comprises Afghanistan and South Africa.

Tanzania actually started the better of the two teams, before being undone by the lively Shaquan Belle, who was directly involved in their first four wickets to fall.

The opening pair of Dylan Thakrar and Darpan Jobanputra gave them a solid start during a 53-run stand in just under 14 overs, which put them in the ascendancy after the first hour of play.

However, their innings unravelled once Jonathan van Lange had Jobanputra caught at fine leg by a diving Belle for 19 off 46 balls.

Vitel Lawes ended with 3-23, while Micah McKenzie (2-15) and Belle (2-23) provided solid support.

The Windies began their chase in positive fashion, with Zachary Carter launching Juma over mid on for a huge six to end the third over.

But his stay at the crease was brief, with Augustino Mwamele rattling his stumps with his medium pace in the next over to leave the score 20 for one.

Tanez Francis and Jewel Andrew then set about dismantling Tanzania's bowling attack during an 80-run stand for the second wicket that all but decided the contest.

Both batters looked set to reach their half-centuries and carry their side to a comprehensive victory, until against the run of play Bakrania had Andrew caught and bowled for a well-played run-a-ball 44, which contained six fours and one six.

Francis brought up his half-century with a boundary off Mwamele, but the bowler got his revenge two balls later, trapping the opener leg before wicket for 52 off 55 balls.

Captain Joshua Dorne (5) and van Lange (0) then found themselves back in the pavilion soon after, as the West Indies slipped to 114 for five.

Shamar Apple and Belle then joined forces to ensure there would be no further losses, with the former ending the match by hitting Khalidy Juma for four.

Mwamele was Tanzania's best bowler with 2-17, while Raymond Francis took 2-23.