Guyanese Matthew Nandu turned in a magnificent all-round performance to lead West Indies Under-19s to a 17-run victory over England Under-19s in the sixth and final Youth ODI in Canterbury on Friday.
Despite the win, the Caribbean boys still lost the series, which the hosts took 4-2.
Scores in the final game: West Indies Under-19s 230 all out in 50 overs; England Under-19s 213 all out in 45 overs.
Batting first, West Indies Under-19s were led by a sparkling innings from opener Nandu. The left-hander followed up his 51 in game five with an accomplished 80 from 120 balls (9x4s).
His innings was the mainstay of the Caribbean side’s batting, with Carlon Bowen-Tuckett making 48 at number seven. Nandu and Bowen-Tuckett added 55 for the sixth wicket after West Indies were 107-5 by the halfway stage of the innings.
Nandu and Ackeem Auguste, who made 25, had earlier put together 78 for the third wicket.
Bowling for England, fast bowler Sonny Baker took 4-41 and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed bagged 3-30.
Ahmed returned to score 68 not out, but England lost wickets at regular intervals and couldn’t get over the line. Openers George Thomas and James Rew made 38 and 28 respectively.
Leg-spinner Vasant Singh claimed 4-51, while off-spinner Nandu capped an outstanding day, picking up 2-35.
Match schedule and results
Saturday, September 4: 1st Youth ODI – England won by 166 runs at Beckenham
Monday, September 6: 2nd Youth – England won by one wicket at Beckenham
Wednesday, September 8: 3rd Youth ODI – West Indies won by two wickets at Beckenham
Friday, September 10: 4th Youth ODI – England won by nine wickets at Canterbury
Tuesday, September 14: 5th Youth ODI – England won by one wicket at Canterbury
Friday, September 17: 6th Youth ODI – West Indies won by 17 runs at Canterbury
