Assuming the role of captain, Matthew Nandu hammered a historic century to lead West Indies to a 169-run win over Papua New Guinea in the plate quarter-final of the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Playing in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday, West Indies were asked to bat first and duly piled up 317 for six from their allotted 50 overs before returning to bowl out PNG for 148 in 37.4 overs.
Nandu carved out 15 fours and two sixes during his 134-ball innings of 128. The left-hander became only the third Guyanese to reach triple figures in an official match at the youth World Cup following Steven Jacobs and Tagenarine Chanderpaul and only the fourth in a youth One Day International with the other being Leon Johnson.
Nandu, son of former West Indies youth player and national first-class player, Arjune Nandu, added 155 for the opening stand with Shaqkere Parris who played the supporting role with 64. His 89-ball innings featured eight fours and two sixes.
After Teddy Bishop was bowled by Patrick Nou for 15, Nandu was joined by Kevin Wickham who clubbed three fours and four sixes as he raced to 61 not out from 48 balls. In the process, the pair added 107 for the third wicket before Nandu was dismissed by Boio Ray in the penultimate over.
Ray then removed Rivaldo Clarke and Jordan Johnson who failed to trouble the scoreboard to end with 3-43.
Nandu returned with ball in hand to lead the way, picking up 2-14 with his off-spin. He was supported by his countryman, Isai Thorne with 2-30 and McKenny Clarke with 2-34. All of the West Indies youth bowlers registered in the wickets’ column with Shiva Sankar, Nathan Edward and Anderson Mahase bagging one wicket a piece. West Indies however, were carefree in their bowling, giving away 34 extras, 32 of which were wides.
Aue Oru was left unbeaten on 27 from 52 balls, hitting five boundaries along the way. Peter Karoho made 21 while Barnabas Maha and Nou made 15 each.
