Pacy Forner leads CW U-19 to series lead
Cricket Web Under-19 continued to function well as a team, taking a 2-1 lead in the one-day series with a big 75-run win over West Indies Under-19. Again the bowlers shared up the wickets well, and comfortably defended a moderate total of 232-9 in damp conditions.
The tourists chose to bowl first with moisture in the air and some help expected from the surface. But after the openers supplied another good start - 94 - CW U-19 batted to the powerful position of 124-2 at the halfway stage. WI U-19 continued to fight, however, and with both openers back in the pavilion, the spinners set about dragging back the scoring rate. Veerasammy Permaul was particularly effective, and finished with 4 for 26 from his 10 overs.
CW U-19 collapsed to 182-6 and looked in doubt to get far past 200. Dan Speirs and Blake Donald chose such clutch circumstances to rise to the occasion and added a crucial 42 for the seventh wicket. Jason Dawes clawed things back at the end, but at 232-9, the Webheads looked to have a good total to bowl at.
Forner took that confidence to heart and vindicated his recall in an opening burst of 3 wickets. Though he was expensive, Forner bowled with aggression and enough direction to dismantle the top order, barring Steve Jacobs. Jacobs batted on even as the carnage continued at the other end. With the advent of Gee Sriram and Ryan Dunn, wickets continued to fall. Sriram took the key wicket of Sharmarh Brooks, bowled comprehensively for 16, and the tourists slumped soon after to 112-8.
With two wickets remaining and a fighting half-century already to his name, Jacobs upped his personal momentum and tried to make the most of his limited company. The ploy was successful against the quicker bowlers, but when Zac Ritchie brought himself into the attack, he immediately prised out Grant with a loopy delivery, then trapped Johnson in front with a sharp arm ball. Jacobs was left unbeaten on 89 from 95 - one of the best innings of the series, but in a losing effort.
Cricket Web Under-19 innings 232-9 (50 overs)
R Malone 52 (74), MD Luff 47 (54), BC Fitzsimmons 34 (47)
V Permaul 4-26 (10), JO Dawes 3-46 (10)
West Indies Under-19 157 ao (37.3 overs)
SA Jacobs 89* (95), SSJ Brooks 16 (24)
G Sriram 3-35 (7), JNE Forner 3-47 (10)
Cricket Web Under-19 won by 75 runs.
Man of the Match: JNE Forner (CW)
You beaut! Couldn't have done it without a strong showing by the batsmen, either.