Thaindian News

Townsville (Australia), Aug 12 (IANS) The West Indies’ decision to base themselves in Australia ahead of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup provided an immediate outcome here Sunday, when they beat two-time champions India by four wickets.

The West Indies kicked off their campaign with a successful run chase against India, who were restricted to 166 for eight.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Smit Patel top scored for the side, hitting a patient 51 before being bowled by paceman Ronsford Beaton, who finished as the most successful West Indies bowler with three for 33.

Right-arm medium-pacer Kyle Mayers claimed the important wicket of India captain Unmukt Chand (22) and was consistent, ending with two for 35 from 10 overs.

India’s fast bowler Sandeep Sharma (2-27) snared the early wickets of the West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite (four) and Sunil Ambris (four).

But John Campbell (36) and Anthony Alleyne (52) put the West Indies back on track with a 58-run third-wicket partnership. For the fifth wicket, Alleyne and Kyle Mayers (43) put on another 58 runs after the West Indies had slipped from 71 for two to 75 for four.

India’s left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh was handy with the ball picking up three wickets but unfortunately not enough to successfully defend the Indian total.

Mayers, who was adjudged player of the match, later said: “India had some quality spinners and I thought they bowled really well with great variation. I tried to bowl as tight as possible to create some pressure and eventually it worked out.”

In the other matches Sunday, South Africa got their tournament underway by overcoming Bangladesh by 133 runs, New Zealand did not miss a beat against qualifier Scotland by winning their Group B match by 39 runs, and England bounced back from Saturday’s defeat to Australia to beat Ireland by seven wickets in a Group C match.