Young Tiger roars!

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC- Tagenarine Chanderpaul compiled a powerful half century to guide West Indies to a comfortable six wicket win over New Zealand in a warm-up match yesterday before the start of their campaign in the ICC Under 19 World Cup here tomorrow.

Chanderpaul rekindled the innings with a top score of 62 allowing West Indies to overhaul the 147 scored by New Zealand who batted first at the Sevens Stadium Pitch 2, Dubai.

The young cricketers from the Caribbean stumbled to seven for the loss of two quick wickets within three balls in the third over after opener Shimron Hetmyer was caught for two and Nicolas Puran was also caught without scoring. But the son of the famous West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, struck seven fours and brought his side back on course featuring in two half century partnerships before he was forced to retire hurt.

Chanderpaul teamed up with Jeremy Solozana in a third wicket stand that produced 66 runs, resurrecting the chase from two for seven to three for 73.

Solozana scored 35 which included five fours.

A second partnership for the fourth wicket between the young Guyanese batsman and Jonathan Drakes yielded 50 runs.

Drakes, who hit four boundaries, scored 28 while Brandon King was unbeaten on 16 as West Indies cruised to 151 for four.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Earlier, captain Ramaal Lewis led a bowling attack that created all sorts of problems for the young New Zealand players who lost their first three wickets with only 54 runs on the board.

Resistance in the middle of the innings offered hope in the form of a 46-run, fourth wicket stand between Robert O’Donnell and Shawn Hicks.

O’Donnell top scored with 31, Hicks scored 27 while Tim Seifert added 23, the main contributors as the last six wickets tumbled for the addition of 47 runs.

Lewis finished with three for 26, Charles 2-9 and McSween 2-24

On Monday, West Indies Under 19s scored a comprehensive nine wicket victory over Afghanistan Under 19s in a warm-up game.

West Indies begin their campaign in the ICC Under 19 World Cup against South Africa in Dubai tomorrow.