U-19 World Cup: Andrew and Thorne propel West Indies to victory

Jewel Andrew continued his rich vein of form at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup as he posted another unbeaten knock in a five-wicket beating of Scotland, which gifted West Indies their first win of the tournament at Senwes Park in South Africa on Wednesday.

After blasting a 96-ball 130 in a losing cause against the host in West Indies’ opening fixture, Andrew again displayed confidence and poise in his unbeaten 64 off 60 balls, which ensured West Indies successfully chased down Scotland’s 205.

Andrew’s knock includes eight boundaries. He starred in an unbroken 95-run sixth-wicket stand with Nathan Edward, who capitalized on promotion up the order with a patient 27 off 55.

The two came together with the regional side in a spot of bother at 111-5. This, as Adrian Weir (seven), Captain Stephan Pascal (26), Joshua Dorne (11), Jordan Johnson (24) and Mavendra Dindyal (29), all again failed to make a lasting impression.

Fortunately, Edwards patiently occupied one end, allowing Andrew to play with some degree of freedom against the Scottish seamers.

“It was a great knock, and I must thank everyone for coming out and supporting us. They (Scottish seamers) are quick, but I like the challenge, so it was all about learning, improving, and ticking the boxes the coaches have for us,” Andrew said in a post-game television interview.

Earlier, Pascal’s decision to insert Scotland proved correct.

Apart from Jamie Dunk, who made an 87-ball 57, Adi Hedge (32), and Alec Price (31), the opponents offered very little resistance with the bat, as they found Isai Thorne, in particular, too hot to handle.

Thorne, a right-arm medium-fast, bagged a career-best 4-46 from nine overs, with Nathan Sealy 2-38 as the next-best figure.

The win, also West Indies’ fourth over Scotland at this level, saw them second in Group B on two points, behind England (four points). (SportsMax)