DUBAI – Nicolas Pooran blasted a century for West Indies Under-19 but it wasn’t enough to avoid a five-wicket defeat by Australia in the quarter-finals of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup yesterday.
West Indies Under-19s were bowled out for 208, after being 70 for eight at one stage. Australia reached 209 for five and advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament.
West Indies won the toss and decided to bat but lost five batsmen for only 52 runs on the board. They lost three more wickets for only 18 runs until Pooran decided to take charge and stem the haemorrhage.
Man Of The Match Pooran shared a face-saving ninth-wicket stand of 136 with fast bowler Jerome Jones to revive West Indies. Jones played sensibly and ensured Pooran got as much strike as possible in their fightback.
Jones was eventually run out for 20 off the first ball of the final over and two runs later Pooran’s innings ended after he shuffled across to play a delivery from Guy Walker which knocked out his middle stump.
Pooran made 143 from 160 balls which included 14 fours and six sixes.
In reply, Matthew Short (52) and Jason Morgan (55) gave the Australians a magnificent start with an opening partnership of 107 runs, halfway through their victory target. Thereafter, the young Aussies cruised home with 20 balls to spare with Ben McDermott (29) and Jake Doran unbeaten on 49.
Ray Jordan took two for 34 and Bryan Charles two for 41, bowling for the West Indies.
Australia will join South Africa, England and Pakistan in the semi-finals while West Indies will play Afghanistan in one of the play-off matches on Tuesday.
