ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022: Sri Lanka Enter Quarterfinals, West Indies Eliminated

Sri Lanka entered the quarterfinals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup as they knocked hosts West Indies out of the competition, ensuring that Australia secured passage into the last eight.

Sri Lanka have knocked West Indies out of the competition. (Image credit: Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Jan 22, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Sri Lanka has secured passage into the quarterfinals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 with a tense three-wicket win against the West Indies in St Kitts. The 2016 ICC Under-19 Champions, who were gunning to win a World Cup at home, had their hopes dashed by a determined Sri Lanka team who have now won all three of their league games. In arguably the toughest group of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022, Sri Lanka has ended on top. The result not only knocks West Indies out, but it also ensures Australia enters the quarterfinals. Australia, the three-time champions, needed Sri Lanka to beat West Indies as the hosts had a poor net run rate.

Sri Lanka chose to bowl and immediately, the opening bowlers had West Indies in trouble. Matthew Nandu was trapped LBW to Traveen Mathew while skipper Dunith Wellalage got the wicket of Shaqkere Parris. Teddy Bishop and Kevin Wickham stitched a 68-run stand to revive the Windies. But, just as it looked like the West Indies would be out of trouble, Wellalage struck again by removing Teddy Bishop for 45.

Kevin Wickham notched up his fifty and shared a vital stand with Jordan Johnson. But, Wickham perished for 56 with Matheesha Pathirana taking the wicket. Wellalage, who had taken five wickets and scored a fifty against Australia, continued to keep Sri Lanka in the game by getting rid of Johnson for 47. Rivaldo Clarke, the wicketkeeper, and McKenny Clarke struck four sixes in two overs, with Pathirana and Wellalage feeling the brunt. But, three comical run-outs saw West Indies being restricted to 250/9 at the end.

Sri Lanka chase total down in tense circumstances

Chasing 251 on a tricky wicket, Sri Lanka lost Chamindu Wickramasinghe cheaply. Shevon Daniel was aggressive right from the outset and Sadisha Rajapaksa gave him good company. Daniel raced to 34 off 32 balls before he was taken by McKenny Clarke. Rajapaksa then shared a vital stand with Sakuna Liyanage and wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara.

Read – India continue dominance in ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2022

The partnership with Bandara was worth 78. Rajapaksa notched up a magnificent fifty and Bandara was nearing a milestone. But, Isai Thorne removed both Rajapaksa and Bandara in the space of four overs. When skipper Wellalage was dismissed for 28, Sri Lanka needed another 50 runs for victory.

Raveen de Silva and Ranuda Somarathne then kept their nerve. Somarathne, in particular, hit boundaries at vital times. When de Silva fell for 13, West Indies sniffed a faint chance. But, Yasiru Rodrigo gave Somarathne good company and they guided Sri Lanka over the line. Sri Lanka won the match by three wickets with just 10 balls to spare.

South Africa Outclass Ireland in a rain-affected match

South Africa, the ICC Under-19 World Cup champions from 2014, showed their class in the match against Ireland in Tarouba. Dewald Brevis, nicknamed Baby ABD for the way how he executes his skills, starred in the show with a brilliant 96 which included seven fours and four sixes. But, the X-factor knock was by skipper George van Heerden who blasted 111 off 93 balls. His knock included eight huge sixes as Ireland wilted. When Micky Copeland hit 43off 18 balls, South Africa had crossed 315 and it was a tall task for Ireland.

Ireland was never in the game, with Matthew Boast and Liam Alder taking three wickets apiece. Asakhe Tshaka and Andile Simelane took two wickets each to give South Africa a thumping 153-run win in a match reduced to 47 overs due to rain. The final league games will take place on Saturday, with India finishing their campaign against Uganda.





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords