Potchefstroom, South Africa – West Indies will contest the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 5th Place Play-Off after a four-wicket win over hosts South Africa in their Super League Play-Off Semi Final in Potchefstroom.
West Indies rally to set up fight for fifth
West Indies bounced back from the disappointment of losing their Super League Quarter Final to New Zealand by securing a four-wicket victory over South Africa in Potchefstroom.
An impressive bowling display on a pitch that offered a lot to the bowlers helped the Caribbean outfit remove the Junior Proteas for 143 all out.
The Windies, led by captain Melius (29), then chased down the target with four wickets in hand, despite a commendable effort from the hosts.
South Africa were pegged back early with Jonathan Bird (13), captain Bryce Parsons (7) and Luke Beaufort (9) falling early.
Although wickets fell around him, opener, Levert Manje imposed himself well to get to a 63-ball 43 alongside wicket-keeper-batsman, Khanya Cotani (27) to move the hosts to two runs shy of triple figures.
A run out of Manje then sparked a middle-order collapse, as four more wickets went down in quick succession with three different West Indies bowlers finishing with two wickets.
In their reply, the West Indies were also rocked by early departures at the crease as South Africa started their defence with great impetus.
Top-order batters, Leonardo Julien (0) and Kevlon Anderson (1) were dismissed during a fiery opening spell by Merrick Brett (two for 33) and Achille Cloete (one for 40) before Melius and Kirk McKenzie (19) battled hard to repel the South Africans’ attempts to make serious inroads.
The spin duo of Parsons (two for 23) and Pheko Moletsane (one for six) finally broke their third-wicket stand but their momentum was soon foiled by an important 47-run partnership between Antonio Morris (26) and Matthew Patrick (25) as they edged closer to victory.
Nyeem Young (10) and Joshua James (15 not out) then chipped in with vital runs to help get their side over the line with 50 balls remaining.
“Overall it was a great game today, the team played well, but disappointed after the loss to New Zealand,” said Patrick, Player of the Match.
“But what good teams do is that they bounce back and we bounced back today.”
West Indies will play the victor of Australia’s Super League Play-Off Semi Final match with Afghanistan in the fight for fifth, while the losing side will do battle for South Africa in their bid to finish seventh.
SOURCE: ICC Media Zone
