POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, CMC – Jewel Andrew extended his purple patch with a polished unbeaten half-century as West Indies registered their first points of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a comfortable five-wicket victory over Scotland here yesterday.
The 17-year-old, who shot to prominence with a dashing hundred in a losing effort against South Africa last week, struck 64 not out off 60 deliveries, helping the Caribbean side overhaul a target of 206 with nearly 15 overs to spare at Senwes Park.
Batting at number six, Andrew entered the contest with West Indies in a spot of bother at 90 for four in the 14th over and inspired a 95-run, unbroken sixth wicket stand with Nathan Edward (27 not out) to get West Indies over the line.
Fast bowler Isai Thorne (4-46) had earlier set up West Indies’ win with an important four-wicket haul as his spell helped restrict Scotland to 205 for nine off their 50 overs.
Opener Jamie Dunk top-scored with 57 from 87 deliveries, his opening partner Adi Hegde chipped in with 32 while number three Alec Price struck 31, but the innings declined from a healthy position of 145 for two, seven wickets tumbling for 60 runs at the back end.
West Indies now sit second in their group on two points, behind leaders England who they face in their final game tomorrow.
“We’re really happy. We came into this game knowing it was a must-win and we did that, so I’m very happy,” said captain Stephan Pascal.
“[Jewel] is basically our rock at the moment because the top order isn’t really performing as we should, but I’m confident that we will come good.
“But for the meantime, I am very happy that Jewel is really contributing and putting us over the line.”
Choosing to bowl first, West Indies bowlers were frustrated by Dunk and Hegde who put on 89 for the first wicket, to give Scotland the upper hand.
When Hegde perished at the end of the 22nd over after facing 72 balls and hitting four fours, Dunk put on a further 29 for the second wicket with Price, whose knock was a breezy one off 42 deliveries with three fours and a six. Dunk fell at the end of the 30th over after notching half-dozen fours, driving seamer Raneico Smith to cover where Pascal leapt high to haul in a sharp catch.
Price and Owen Gould (5) put on 26 for the third wicket but the impressive Thorne removed both in the 38th, to trigger the collapse.
Adrian Weir fell cheaply for seven in reply, scooping seamer Ruaridh McIntyre to cover point to depart with 22 runs on the board in the fifth over.
And Pascal struck a run-a-ball 26 with five fours before following in the eighth over, holing out to long on off left-arm spinner Logan Briggs.
When Joshua Dorne loosely slapped pacer Ibrahim Faisal to mid off in the ninth to perish for 11, West Indies were courting trouble and they were still in danger even after Mavendra Dindyal (29) and Jordan Johnson (26) put on 45 for the fourth.
Andrew arrived to allay his side’s fears, however, motoring to a run-a-ball fifty as he combined with Edward to thwart Scotland’s plans.
