Windies U19s face Super Six blowout

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CMC):

WEST INDIES Under-19 Women once again failed to produce with the bat, Australia soundly whipping them by seven wickets in their opening Super Six match of the ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval yesterday.

Only two West Indian batters made it into double digits after they were sent in to bat, and they were eventually dismissed for a paltry 53 in 16.3 overs.

West Indies never recovered after left-arm pacer Eleanor Larosa bowled opener Asabi Callender for one and dismissed Jahzara Claxton for the same score to leave them stuttering on seven for three in the fourth over.

Brianna Harricharan hit the topscore of 17 and captain Samara Ramnath made 14, but West Indies lost wickets regularly in the face of disciplined bowling and fielding from the Aussies.

Once leg spinner Juliette Morton accounted for the wicket of Ramnath to make it 20 for four, the innings quickly capitulated with all six Australian bowlers used taking at least a wicket.

Larosa led the way with 2-6 from her three overs, while Caoimhe Bray (2-9) and Tegan Williamson (2-10) ran through the middle and lower order.

Australia suffered an early scare in their run chase when left-arm pacer Selena Ross bowled Ines McKeon with just two runs on the board.

However, Kate Pelle and skipper Lucy Hamilton carried them to safety in a 38-run partnership that essentially decided the contest.

By the time Pelle lost her wicket to off spinner Erin Deane for 11 and Hamilton was bowled by Naijanni Cumberbatch for 28 from 29 balls to leave Australia 44 for three, they were well on their way to victory.

Bray, who finished unbeaten on 11, and Ella Briscoe, who made four not out, then guided their team to a comfortable win with 55 balls to spare.

West Indies will next play Bangladesh in a must-win game tomorrow.