TTCB – News

Cariah shows form in Windies win
January 7, 2010

By ZAID MOHAMMED

THE WEST Indies Under-19 cricket team showed they will be a force to be reckoned with an impressive victory by two wickets in a World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday in Tauranga, New Zealand.

On the back of impressive batting and bowling performances by wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich and fast bowler Nelson Bolan, the Under-19s totally outclassed a Northern Districts “Ä” team.

Nevisian Bolan claimed four wickets for 30 runs when the Northern Districts batted after a wet pitch delayed the start until 1 pm at the Bay of Plenty Oval.

With good support from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican who claimed two for 26, the hosts had great difficulty negotiating the visitors’bowling attack and were skittled out for 123 in 36.4 overs.

West Indies, after an agreement between the two captains--- decided on a target of 215 off 50 overs and were unchallenged as they strolled to victory.

Barbadian Dowrich led the charge with a brisk 71 off 55 balls and looked in fine fettle leading up to the Under-19 World Cup starting on January 15.

Also getting into the act and showing good skill and form was Andre Creary amd Yannic Cariah who both scored 30s as the Caribbean side reached 220 for eight in 49 overs.

The result left West Indies Under-19 manager Omar Khan very pleased especially since it was the team’s first practice match after the long trip from the Caribbean.

“Ï thought the guys did very well, given the fact that this was the first game on tour. The opposition was not that bad because there were six regular first team players in the Northern Districts ‘Á’ Team,” Khan said.

“There are a number of areas in which the coach would like the players to improve and this was noted and will be dealt with in practice,” Khan said.

Playing in Group “D” West Indies will open their campaign with a tough match against Pakistan on January 17 and then face Papua New Guinea two days later.

The two top teams from each of the four groups will move on to the championship quarter-final round and the bottom two will play for Plate honours.

West Indies were Plate winners two years ago and reached the final in 2004 when they lost to Pakistan.

West Indies Under-19s play another warm-up match today.