PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand, CMC – A pulsating, fifth-wicket century stand between prolific opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich hauled West Indies from the brink of disaster and catapulted them to a crucial five-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in their final preliminary match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup yesterday.
Set a modest target after they dismissed Papua New Guinea for 187 off their 50 overs at Fitzherbert Park, West Indies stumbled to 43 for four in the 10th over before rebounding to reach 188 for five off 35.4 overs, and put themselves within sight of qualification for the second round with their second successive win.
With their run chase coming apart at the seams, Brathwaite fashioned an uncharacteristically up tempo 82 from 79 balls while Dowrich carved out a near run-a-ball 84 from 85 balls, as the Barbadian pair featured in an entertaining stand of 118 off 119 balls.
Usually dogged and unhurried, Brathwaite betrayed his natural instincts to stroke eight fours off 79 balls while Dowrich followed suit, striking nine fours and a six off 85 balls.
Earlier, leg-spinner Yannic Cariah snatched four for 37 to destroy Papua New Guinea’s middle order, reducing them from a solid position of 68 for one after they had been sent in.
He quickly claimed all four wickets which fell as Papua New Guinea plunged to 84 for five in the 31st over in the space of just 49 deliveries. A recovery was engineered by Sese Bau who counter-attacked for his even 50 from 55 balls, and Jason Kila who made 30 from 40 balls.
West Indies then made a messy start to what should have been an uncomplicated run chase, as fast bowler Raymond Haoda (3-37) knocked over the first three wickets to fall to haul Papua New Guinea back into the Group D contest.
Attacking opener Trevon Griffith spent seven balls over his two before falling in the third over with the score on 13 and Evin Lewis (1) and John Campbell (6) then fell in the space of nine balls to leave the Windies on 38 for three in the ninth over.
When medium pacer John Reva snared Cariah in the next over with just five runs added, West Indies were facing a long road back.
Brathwaite, who hit an unbeaten 92 in the Windies’ opening loss to Pakistan last Friday, then took responsibility for the innings, tempering his usual measured approach with a dashing flair to inspire his side’s resurgence.
Dowrich, who has been in good form in the tournament, followed his natural attacking tendencies, striking the ball nicely as he kept the scoreboard ticking over.
