Sealy, Edward unable to stop WI U19 defeat in opener

DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka (CMC):

NATHAN SEALY shone with the bat and left-arm pacer Nathan Edward starred with the ball in an impressive new-ball spell, but neither effort was enough to prevent West Indies Under-19s from a six-wicket defeat to their hosts, in the first Youth One-Day International on Sunday.

Choosing to bat first at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, West Indies rallied to 223 all out in the final over thanks to Sealy’s counter-attacking 75 off 82 deliveries, entering at number seven.

Openers Adrian Weir (32) and Stephen Pascal (29) chipped in while Tarrique Edward (27) also contributed at number eight.

Garuka Sanketh finished with five for 45 while fellow right-arm new-ball seamer Dinura Kalupahana picked up three for 45.

In reply, Ravishan De Silva (65), Supun Waduge (56) and Dinura Kalupahana (52 not out) all struck half-centuries to see off the visitors’ challenge.

MAJOR SUCCESS

Edward rocked the innings early by removing both openers as Sri Lanka U19s slipped to 11 for two in the fourth over but that was the last of any major success for West Indies U19s.

Ravishan, who faced 85 balls and struck seven fours and a six, steadied the innings in a crucial 134-run third wicket stand with Waduge, who struck eight fours in a 78-ball knock.

When both perished in the space of 10 balls with only three runs added, Kalupahana took responsibility for the remainder of the chase, blasting seven fours and a six in a 42-ball cameo, and inspiring an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 76 with wicketkeeper Sarujan Sammuganathen, who finished unbeaten on 20.

Earlier, the West Indies U19s innings pivoted on two key partnerships. First, Weir and Pascal put on 58 for the first wicket to give the innings a sound start.

And when six wickets tumbled for 38 runs to leave the tourists tottering on 96 for six at the end of the 24th, Sealy and Edward patched things up in a 74-run, seventh-wicket stand.

Sealy struck five fours and three sixes before he was ninth out in the penultimate over, giving Sanketh his fifth wicket.