West Indies top Group A

The West Indies beat The Americas by 142 runs at the Police ground in Colombo on Saturday. Set a target of 216 in 50 overs, the Americas were bowled out for 74 in the 42nd over of the innings by a weakened West Indian bowling attack. The win made it three out of three for the Calypso side and they finished comfortably top of Group A at the end of the first phase of the Under-19 World Cup.

The Americas won the toss and put the West Indians in. The out of form openers needed to spend time at the crease but Chattergoon was back in the pavilion early for just 2. Brendon Parchment at the other end began in blazing style, driving sweetly through the covers and appearing completely untroubled. Setting himself for a long knock, he was bowled by Pitcher for 29 with the score 55 for 2. His cameo will still have pleased the West Indian management.

The Americas were determined in the field, far exceeding their previous two performances. Slow left arm orthodox Kevin Sandher bowled with guile. Coming into the attack in the 17th over he accounted for the extremely talented Marlon Samuels thanks to a sharp stumping by keeper Bagai for 21. Thereafter none of the batsmen looked in complete command. The wicket continued to give assistance to both the spinners and seamers. In the 38th over the West Indians were restricted to 135 for 6.

The lower order responded positively. Two of them, Camilus Alexander and Callitos Lopez shared an unbeaten 7th wicket partnership of 81 in the final 12.2 overs. The West Indies finished with 216 for 6, a formidable one on a difficult wicket. The pick of the bowlers was Sandher who returned figures of 2 for 37 from his 10 overs.

The Americas were reprieved of having to face the ferocious force of the West Indian fast bowlers. Richardson and Lawson were rested and Callitos Lopez sustained a muscle injury while batting. Nevertheless the Americas lost early wickets, openers Foggo and Zubin Surkari both caught, off the bowling of Peters and Samuels respectively. It was slow cricket and a tough learning curve for The Americas. At the halfway point, they slumped to 40 for 6, the runs coming at less than 2 an over.

The West Indians never lost their hunger, applying pressure with disciplined bowling, making the most of a rapidly deteriorating track. It was just a matter of time before the innings was wrapped up. The Americas were all out for 74 in the 42nd over. Landro Miners from Bermuda top scored with 17.

A clean sweep for the Windies then, but a victory again clouded in controversy. The problem concerned fast bowler Callitos Lopezs' injury sustained while batting. Lopez was refused a runner, the umpires being of the view that the injury was not serious enough to warrant one. Treatment was also rejected unless the physio donned his whites. As a result, the West Indies fielded the entire second innings with 10 men.

An incensed Gus Logie, coach of the West Indians told Cricinfo, "I think the umpires are trying their best to dictate terms. I have no doubt they should be in charge but I think that they are doing too much when they tell you what is right and what is wrong. Something has to be done. They are young players out there and will not be trying to fake injury at this stage."

It was an unfortunate situation but thankfully one that had no bearing on the outcome of the match. The West Indies will not be affected. They will go into the Super League full of confidence. They completely outplayed Zimbabwe and in the end England were brushed aside in a game which ebbed and flowed, proving the character of this team in tight situations. If the batsman all begin to perform consistently and get runs on the board, the bowlers will then make it very difficult for any team to come close to the West Indian totals. Rested here, the bowlers will be fresh for the challenge.

Looking forward to the rest of the competition, Logie said of his team "They have most definitely not peaked yet. The top order batsmen in particular need to come into their own. Our aim now must be to try and keep these players mentally strong to understand that success will not come in every game. They must work harder and keep the camaraderie going."