Trinis star in big World Cup Win

DHAKA: Compatriots Tishan Maraj and Lendl Simmons hit hundreds to propel West Indies Under-19s to a 152-run victory over Papua New Guinea Under-19s in their second preliminary match of the ICC Youth World Cup at the Khulna Divisional Stadium yesterday.

Maraj top-scored with 117 from 112 balls to earn the “Man-of-the-Match” award and Simmons supported with 107 from 96 balls to lead West Indies to a formidable 371 for three from 50 overs. Another Trinidadian, Jonathan Augustus then bagged three wickets for 23 runs from 3.2 overs, and Mervin Matthew and Lionel Baker took two each to restrict Papau New Guinea to 219 off 44.2 overs to set up a showdown with similarly unbeaten Pakistan in the final Group “D” match tomorrow.

In the midst of celebrations, however, the West Indies camp was still concerned about the health of fast bowler Ravi Rampaul. The new senior West Indies bowler delivered just 3.2 overs before leaving the field. “Ravi was given a run in this match, but he left the field because he was vomiting and was complaining about headaches,” West Indies manager Roland Sampath told CMC Radio Sports yesterday. “He did return to the field later. He did not bowl, but he wanted to get the feel of things and being a part of the team. Our aim is to get him match fit for that important match on Friday against Pakistan.” Choosing to bat, West Indies benefitted from a 92-run opening stand between Maraj and Xavier Marshall and continued to build upon it after they were separated. In the 12th over, Marshall was caught behind off Vali Vali for 52 from 36 balls that contained eight fours and one six.

Maraj and Simmons then added 147 in 22.2 overs and totally dominated the steady, but hardly menacing Papua New Guinea bowling. The two appeared unstoppable until Maraj was caught in the deep off Vivian Kila in the 35th over. He struck 15 fours. For the next 13.1 overs, Simmons and Assad Fudadin continued to put the heat on the Papua New Guinea bowling before John Boto bowled Simmons in the 48th over after the West Indies batsman hit 12 fours and three sixes. Fudadin smote six fours and one six in an undefeated 59 from 50 balls to give the innings the late momentum. Papua New Guinea got an opening stand of 51 from Kila and Kupana Amini before Lionel Baker removed the two opening batsmen in the space of four overs.

Kila was caught behind for 16 and Amini was adjudged LBW for 23 to leave Young PNG 55 for two. A stand of 47 between John Gavera and Asad Vala, whose unbeaten 84 from 89 balls with 12 fours and one six was the top score, stalled the YWI.
Three wickets fell for five runs in the space of 16 balls to send the Young PNG crashing to 107 for five in the 32nd over. Gavera was run out by Fudadin’s throw in the 28th over, captain Christopher Amini was bowled 4.1 overs later by Mervin Matthew, who also removed Kila Pala for a first-ball duck three balls later.

Sensing the desperation, Vala started to express himself with some attractive strokes and found Mahuru Dai, a steady ally, and they added 81 for the sixth wicket in 6.3 overs. Once Dai became the first of Augustus’ three wickets, caught and bowled for 32 from 22 balls in the 39th over, there was little substance or stability from the rest of the Papua New Guinea batting. Elsewhere, Cup holders Australia suffered a shock defeat when they fell to Zimbabwe by seven wickets, and lightweights Nepal held their nerve in a thrilling finish to beat highly fancied South Africa by one wicket with two balls of the match remaining.

The Aussies collapsed to 73 all out off 19 overs and Zimbabwe cruised to victory at 74 for three off 17.1 overs in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000 at Bogra.  In the other match: India won their second match by 69 runs over New Zealand. Sunny Singh kept the Indians on track with an unbeaten 68 after a shaky start to help them post 215 before New Zealand slumped to 146 all out in their doomed run chase.               
(CMC)