Dorne’s century helps Windies U19 secure series

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada:

West Indies Under-19 captain, Joshua Dorne, cracked a scintillating, unbeaten century to lead his side to an impressive four-wicket victory over England Under-19s in the sixth Youth one-day international (ODI) on Saturday.

With the Windies in dire straits at 89 for five in pursuit of England's total 221, Dorne scored 102 not out off just 101 balls to pilot them to 222 for six off 38.1 overs at the National Cricket Stadium and give them an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven-match series.

HORRIBLE START

The home side got off to a horrible start when Zachary Carter was caught behind off the bowling of James Minto without a run on the board in the second over of their chase.

Minto struck again by dismissing fellow opener Tanez Francis in the same fashion to leave the score six for two.

Kunal Tilokani and Dorne brought stability to the innings during a 79-run partnership that left the match in the balance.

But when Manny Lumsden claimed the wicket of Tilokani for an attacking 49 off 29 balls, the Windies lost the wickets of Shamar Apple for one and Jonathan van Lange for a first ball duck, to see them slump to 89 for five.

With England in the ascendancy, Dorne found a worthy partner in Matthew Miller, and their 92-run partnership for the sixth wicket transformed the complexion of the match.

By the time the latter was run out for a well-played 43 off 48 balls, the West Indies had recovered to 181 for six and installed themselves as favourites to win the match.

Shaquan Belle then scored a patient, unbeaten 14 off 34 balls, and together with his captain shared an unbroken partnership of 41 to complete the recovery.

Dorne reached his century in the 37th over by hitting Minto for two boundaries and then scampering two runs, before Belle eventually hit the winning runs.

RESTRICT ENGLAND

Earlier, van Lange took four wickets to restrict England, who were bolstered by efforts from their lower order.

England too found themselves in trouble at 82 for four, but skipper Farhan Ahmed scored a fighting 54 and Joe Moores made 42 to help them bolster their total.

The pair added 92 runs for the sixth wicket that saw the visitors recover to 198 for five in the 43rd over.

When medium pacer Miller dismissed Ahmed, van Lange cleaned up the lower order by accounting for the wickets of Ralphie Albert, Lumsden and Alex Green in quick succession to bring an end to the innings.

Van Lange ended with figures of 4-17, Miller took 2-15 and Vitel Lawes 2-38.

The seventh and final Youth ODI is scheduled for today.

-CMC