Perkins (133) fuels Young WI

Playing at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, the right-handed Perkins slammed 133 from 150 balls, with 16 fours as the West Indies piled up 302 for seven in their 50 overs.

In response, the US struggled to 215 all out in 45.4 overs, despite an undisciplined performance from their bowlers who sent down 39 wides.

Batting first after winning the toss, West Indies found themselves in early trouble when Richard Ramdeen (0) and captain Leon Johnson (4) fell with only eight runs on the board.

But Perkins and Jason Mohammed combined to stage a recovery, adding 124 in 24 overs for the third wicket that put the West Indies in command of the match. Mohammed hit 45 from 70 balls with eight fours before he fell with the West Indies at 132 for three.

Gajanand Singh, whose 65 came from a mere 52 balls with six fours and three sixes, joined Perkins in another productive stand for the fourth wicket that yielded 144 in 19.2 overs.

When the stand was broken in the 46th over, the West Indies were in the driver’s seat and they managed to muster 39 runs in the remaining overs with Kieron Pollard hitting 11 from six balls and Shamar Brooks, 15 from nine balls. Left arm slow bowler Mrunal Patel was the best bowler with two for 22 while fast bowler Dominic Audain snared two for 39.

In their reply, the US were in trouble from early as fast bowler Kemar Roach plucked out openers Ravi Timbawala (0) and Kumar Ramsabad (2) cheaply.

But Akeem Dodson hit 43 from 76 balls and captain Hemant Punoo top-scored with 65 from 52 balls, including 10 fours, to breathe life into the US innings. Even though the faster bowlers struggled with their control, the US continued to lose wickets steadily and eventually came up short of their target.

Roach, who sent down 20 wides, finished with three for 24 while left arm spinner Rishi Bachan took three for 42.