WI U19s go down to Australia

Talented 17-year-old Yannic Cariah stroked an attacking half-century but West Indies Under-19s suffered a 41-run loss to Australia Under-19s in a rain-affected Under-19 World Cup warm-up match today.



Cariah played well for 65 off 56 balls while Evin Lewis stroked a 40-ball 41 as West Indies chasing a victory target of 320 reached 263 for nine off 43.4 overs when rain aborted the match.



Australia were then handed victory via the Duckworth/Lewis method.



Electing to bat, Australia compiled a daunting 319 for seven off their 50 overs.



Bowling for the West Indies, leg-spinner Yannick Ottley picked up two for 50 off nine overs. Nicholson Gordon, Jermaine Blackwood and Nelson Bolan took a wicket each.



Meanwhile, two of the Caribbean side’s first round opponents, Pakistan and Bangladesh scored wins in other warm up games today.



Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 38 runs and Bangladesh upset hosts New Zealand.



West Indies play Ireland in another warm-up match tomorrow.



West Indies will start the Under-19 World Cup against Pakistan on Friday before facing Bangladesh on Sunday and Papua New Guinea next Tuesday in their remaining Group ‘D’ matches.