Brathwaite hits ton as Young WI finally win

VISAKHAPATNAM, India (CMC):

An undefeated 104 from West Indies Under-19 captain Kraigg Brathwaite carried his side to a morale-boosting, eight-wicket victory over Australia Under-19s in the Quadrangular Youth Series yesterday.

Brathwaite struck 11 fours and one six from 127 balls, as the Young West Indies (YWI) finished on 235 for two, chasing Young Australia's 232 for six in the ninth match of the series, which also features hosts India and their Asian neighbours Sri Lanka.

The slim opener struck off-spinner William Bosisto for the last of his boundaries to formalise the result, with 23 balls remaining, at the Reddy Stadium.

First taste of victory

It was the first victory for YWI in the competition, with one match remaining against the hosts. But they have no chance of reaching the final, which is now destined to be a shoot-out between the Indians and Sri Lankans.

Derone Davis was the pick of the Young Windies' bowlers, with two wickets for 33 runs from 10 overs. Donovan Nelson took one for 39 off his 10 overs.

Brathwaite then got solid support from the YWI top order, as fellow opener John Campbell scored 56, Anthony Alleyne made 29 and Kyle Mayers was not out 33 in their march to victory.

Campbell dominated an opening stand of 105 with Brathwaite before he was dismissed in the 22nd over. Alleyne added 73 for the second wicket with Brathwaite before he departed in the 39th over, and Brathwaite and Mayers linked for 57 unbroken for the third wicket to take the Caribbean side the rest of the way.