Young WI lose fourth straight game

VISAKHAPATNAM, India (CMC):

Justin Greaves top-scored with 90 and Kavem Hodge made 80 not out, but West Indies Under-19s again failed to ease concerns about their readiness for next year's Youth World Cup, when Sri Lanka Under-19s prevailed over them by two wickets in the Quadrangular Youth one-day international series yesterday.

Greaves struck seven fours and three sixes from 68 balls and Hodge stroked five fours and one six from 92 balls, as the Young Windies reached 258 for eight from their allocation of 50 overs in the eighth match of the series that also involves hosts India and 2012 Youth World Cup hosts Australia.

The Windies then made a fist of it with Kyle Mayers capturing three wickets for 44 runs from 8.3 overs and John Campbell taking two for 31 from 10 overs, as Young Sri Lanka worked their way to their target with nine balls remaining at the Port Trust Diamond Jubilee Stadium.

The Caribbean side were under-mined by an all-round Sri Lankan batting effort, as Sandun Weerakkody hit the top score of 47, Lahiru Madushanka supported with 42, Shehan Fernando scored 40, Duleeka Thissakuttige got 31, Niroshan Dickwella added 28, Tharindu Kaushal posted 22 and the captain Angelo Jayasinghe made 20.

This was the fourth straight defeat for the West Indies Under-19s in the tournament, which features each side playing the other three teams twice prior to the grand final and consolation final.

It was also the second time they have lost to Sri Lanka Under-19s in the series, following the same result in their opening match last week Tuesday.The West Indies will face Australia Under-19s tomorrow in their next match at the Reddy Stadium also in this city.

Young Windies' innings appeared at the crossroads when Mayers was bowled by off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal in the 28th over, leaving the Caribbean side on 94 for five.