DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC-West Indies failed to press home an advantage against South Africa and crashed to a 94 run defeat in their opening game of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Dubai’s International Cricket Stadium here yesterday.
Three run-outs, in the space of four overs, reduced South Africa to 110 for 7 after they were sent in by West Indies who won the toss and chose to field.
A half century from Yaseen Valli revived the innings to 198 for 9 and set the stage for a devastating spell of fast bowling from Kagiso Rabada which destroyed the Windies top order batting as the young Caribbean cricketers were bowled out for 104.
South Africa’s batsmen were also subjected to a pace barrage from Ray Jordan and Jerome Jones as the West Indies gained the upper hand, but the Caribbean cricketers did not give a good account of themselves in the field, dropping catches and fumbling in the outfield.
Two chances were put down early, at backward point by Fabian Allen and at slip by Ramaal Lewis.
Despite the let-offs, South Africa could not capitalise and lost half their side for 98 despite a third wicket partnership of 65 between Jason Smith and Greg Oldfield.
Jordan and Lewis picked up two wickets each for 45 and 44 runs respectively while Jones and Preston McSween got one each.
West Indies struggled from the start of the chase as, Rabada, the 18-year-old right-arm fast bowler, clocked around 136 kph on an average and getting disconcerting bounce on a fresh surface.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul was run out for a duck after diving and failing to make his ground when he and Shimron Hetmyer decided on a risky single on the first ball.
Hetmyer, who also did not get off the mark also didn’t last the over, edging Rabada to second slip.
In his next over Rabada forced Jonathan Drakes, who also did not score, to edge a ball to the wicketkeeper
Rabada’s pace attack left West Indies reeling at 1 for 3 as the top order struggled to adjust to his first spell of 6-3-9-3.
West Indies further crumbled to 27 for 5 after 12 overs as the pressure mounted forcing Nicolas Pooran to slashed Justin Dill to second slip for 12 and Allen edging to the keeper.
There was no fightback from the lower order except a top score of 37 from Lewis who hit five fours and a six.
Rabada constantly tested the middle order with his pace, one of which struck Pooran’s helmet.
Jeremy Solozano, who struggled for 20 balls for one run, was done in for pace when he inside-edged Rabada on to his leg stump.
West Indies will play Zimbabwe in their second match of the tournament tomorrow.
