Weather foils WI U19s semi-final hopes

West Indies had their hopes of a semi-final spot in the ICC Under-19 World Cup dashed when rain forced the abandonment of their do-or-die Super Six clash with Australia on Friday.

In pursuit of 228 for victory at Diamond Oval, West Indies reached 24 for two in the fifth over before lightning, followed by persistent rain, forced officials to call time on the encounter.

The point earned took West Indies to five points, only good enough for third place in Group 2, with unbeaten leaders Australia and the second placed South Africa advancing.

“It’s disappointing that we didn’t get through to the semi-finals but I guess the guys in the team are looking forward to what’s next,” said West Indies fast bowler Isai Thorne.

“I think we would’ve had a very good chance of winning the game [if rain had not intervened, despite the early two wickets [we lost].

“The early two wickets is something we have done throughout the tournament but then the guys in the middle have really put up their hands and taken up the responsibility for the team,” he pointed out.

Sent in, Australia were energised by a century from Sam Konstas but the remainder of the batting flopped as West Indies bounced back to restrict the favourites to 227 for eight off their 50 overs.

Raf MacMillan chipped in with 29 and captain Hugh Weibgen got 22 but new-ball fast bowlers Nathan Edward (3-22) and Thorne (2-50) produced key strikes to keep the game open.

They accounted for the openers cheaply to reduce the Aussies to 28 for two at the end of the sixth over before Konstas and Weibgen put on 39 to stabilise the innings.

A cluster of wickets saw Australia slump to 87 for five at the end of the 26th but Konstas came to his side’s rescue yet again, this time anchoring a stand of 89 for the sixth wicket with MacMillan.

The right-hander struck 11 fours in an innings that lasted 121 balls before he was eighth out in the final over, slapping left-armer Edward to long off with the charge on.

Not for the first time, West Indies’ start was less than stellar, seamer Charlie Anderson (2-12) removing both captain Stephan Pascal (8) and number three Joshua Dorne (9) to catches at the wicket.

With a tall order ahead of them, the pair of Steve Wedderburn (one not out) and Jordan Johnson (four not out) were then sent scampering by the weather, never to return. (CMC)