U-19 WORLD CUP: West Indies crush Nigeria by 246 runs

West Indies ended the group stage of the Under-19 World Cup with a perfect three-in-three, following a crushing 246-run win over Nigeria to top Group B and qualify for the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Batting first on Thursday in Kimberley, West Indies powered to 303-8, their highest score so far in the competition, and then ran through Nigeria in 21.4 overs, dismissing them for a meagre 57.

FULL SCOREBOARD: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/1204691/nigeria-under-19s-vs-west-indies-under-19s-17th-match-group-b-icc-under-19-world-cup-2019-20

After wins against Australia and England, West Indies looked set for an unblemished record at the innings break after Matthew Patrick, skipper Kimani Melius and Joshua James made telling contributions with the bat.

Patrick topscored with 68 off 70 balls (6x4s, 2x6s) and opener Melius made 65 off 81 balls (9x4s, 2x6s) before James, batting at eight, cracked 43 off 30 balls (2x4s, 3x6s). Extras were a healthy 46, inclusive of 26 wides.

Peter Aho (2-53), Abdulrahman Jimoh (2-56) and Sylvester Okpe (2-66) were the main wicket-takers for Nigeria, who lost half their batting by the 12^th over with just 29 on the board.

Patrick capped a fine day with 2-16 to cop the Man-of-the-Match award, but it was Jayden Seales with 4-19 and Ashmead Nedd 3-11, who dented Nigeria’s run-chase.