Shamar Apple blasts 124 off 65 for West Indies U-19

Shamar Apple provided a brutal demonstration of his white-ball credentials, smashing a whirlwind 124 off just 65 balls to help West Indies Under-19 complete a 229-run demolition of Japan in their second World Cup warm-up fixture.

The Guyanese wicketkeeper-batsman was the aggressor in a high-octane middle-order surge, peppering the boundary with 10 fours and eight sixes.

His strike rate of 190.76 provided the perfect counterpoint to opener Tanez Francis, who anchored the innings with a more measured 122 off 148 balls.

FULL SCORECARD: https://www.icc-cricket.com/matches/267858/japan-under-19-vs-west-indies-under-19

The duo’s contrasting tons laid the foundation for a mammoth 346 for 6, despite late inroads from Japan’s Kai Wall (2-36).

Japan’s chase never gained momentum against a disciplined West Indian attack.

Pacer R’Jai Gittens was the standout with the ball, returning remarkable figures of 4 for 8 to trigger a collapse.

Taylor Waugh (32) and Chihaya Sekine (28) offered brief resistance, but left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes (3-28) ensured there would be no recovery, as Japan were bundled out for 117 in the 43rd over.

The result serves as a significant confidence boost for Joshua Dorne’s side ahead of their tournament opener against Tanzania on January 15.

The West Indies are drawn in a challenging Group D, featuring heavyweights South Africa and Afghanistan, with all matches scheduled for the High-Performance Oval in Namibia.

The top three teams from the group will progress to the Super Six stage, with the tournament eventually moving to Zimbabwe for the business end at the Harare Sports Club.

West Indies Under-19 World Cup Squad: Joshua Dorne (capt), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani, Jonathan Van Lange (vice-captain)

Group Stage:

• West Indies vs Tanzania – January 15 @ 3:30 AM (AST)/ 2:30 AM (JAM)
• West Indies vs Afghanistan – January 18 @ 3:30 AM (AST)/ 2:30 AM (JAM)
• West Indies vs South Africa – January 22 @ 3:30 AM (AST)/ 2:30 AM (JAM)