WINDHOEK, Namibia (CMC) — In a rain-disrupted clash that underscored their growing prowess, the West Indies Under-19s secured a crucial 25-run victory (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method) over Ireland. The victory was propelled by a masterclass in spin bowling from Micah McKenzie and Vitel Lawes.

Before that, the regional side showed that they still have not yet gotten their batting act completely together, as for the third time, they have been dismissed in the tournament.

Choosing to bat first at the High Performance centre, the Windies’ innings was a story of one standout performance amid general fragility.

That fragility started when Zachary Carter ran himself out for 8, following a direct throw from the deep from Reuben Wilson.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jewel Andrew, arriving at number three, played a mature and anchoring knock of 66 from 82 balls. His innings, punctuated by four fours and four sixes, provided the backbone.

He watched from the other end as Tanez Francis was trapped in front for 19, but the Antiguan soon found his most reliable partner in Jonathan van Lange, with the pair adding 67 for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings.

However, Andrew’s dismissal in the 33rd over triggered a collapse. From a promising position, the lower order faltered against the disciplined Irish attack.

Ireland’s chase began with assured intent, spearheaded by the efforts of James West. Following his excellent bowling, West opened the batting and raced to a run-a-ball 45, laced with eight boundaries.

It took the introduction of Aiden Racha to ultimately get the breakthrough, as he had wicket-keeper Freddy Ogilbie brilliantly caught behind by Shamar Apple for 14.

West would follow next, as he got a peach of a delivery from Lawes, to be bowled.

The next over, McKenzie, extracting sharp turn and bounce from a responsive surface, became the tormentor of the Irish middle order, slicing through with four critical wickets.

Just as Ireland sought to rebuild, Lawes delivered a devastating final over. He knocked over Captain Oliver Riley with his first ball, finishing with two wickets.

His intervention left Ireland reeling at 164 for 7 after 40 overs, needing a steep 63 from the final 60 balls. A persistent downpour washed away any lingering hopes of a miraculous finish.

The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern calculation confirmed Ireland were well behind the par score, handing the West Indies a decisive win.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES U-19

Tanez Francis lbw Riley 19

Zachary Carter run out 8

+Jewel Andrew c Bates b Murray 66

*Joshua Dorne c Murray b Ford 17

Jonathan van Lange c Riley b Wilson 28

Shamar Apple c +Ogilby b Murray 15

Shaquan Belle c Riley b West 11

Aadian Racha c Murray b Wilson28

Micah McKenzie b West 4

Jakeem Pollard b Wilson 0

Vitel Lawes not out 18

Extras (b2, nb 1, w9) 12

Total (all out; 46.5 overs) 226

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-30, 3-67, 4-134, 5-162, 6-163, 7-180, 8-205, 9-206, 10-226.

Bowling: Wilson 8.5-1-50-3, Riley 8-1-36-1, Murray 10-0-37-2, Lecky 6-0-47-0, Ford 7-1-30-1, West 7-0-24-2.

IRELAND U-19

James West b Lawes 45

+Freddy Ogilby c Apple b Racha 14

Adam Lecky b McKenzie 18

Rob O’Brien c Van Lange b McKenzie 26

Sebastian Diijkstra b McKenzie 7

Marko Bates c Van Lange b McKenzie 22

*Oliver Riley c Dorne b Lawes 7

Reuben Wilson not out 16

Bruce Whaley not out 1

Extras (b1, lb1, w6) 8

Total (seven wkts; 40 overs) 164

Did Not Bat: Luke Murray, Thomas Ford

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-82, 3-84, 4-98, 5-136, 6-143, 7-161

Bowling: Pollard 6-0-27-0, Belle 7-0-24-0, Racha 5-0-27-1, Van Lange 2-0-7-0, Lawes 10-0-41-2, McKenzie 10-0-36-4.

Toss: West Indies Under-19s elected to bat first.

Result: West Indies Under-19s won by 25 runs (DLS method)

Player-of-the-Match: Micah McKenzie Umpires: Iknow Chabi, Shaun Haig

TV Umpire: Graham Lloyd Reserve Umpire: Virender Sharma

Match Referee: Neeyamur Rashid