BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies Under-19 all-rounder Shamar Springer said his aim in the crucial semi-final against Bangladesh was to silence the home crowd.
He played a key role, stroking an unbeaten 62 as West Indies beat the hosts by three wickets in Dhaka to reach the final against India Under-19s.
When Springer arrived at the crease, the Young Windies were 118 for three in the 20th over in pursuit of 227 for victory, and he calmly steered them to their target with eight balls remaining in the contest.
“To be honest, the only time I felt pressure was the first ball because I was studying about the crowd but after that I just blanked it out because I knew as long as I stuck there, the crowd would not keep any noise,” Springer said after returning home with the West Indies squad on Tuesday.
“When I was watching before I went to bat, I realised that once a partnership built, they didn’t speak at all or keep any noise. So I just had to get in and stick in and see my team home.”
He put on 29 for the fourth wicket with captain Shimron Hetmyer (60) and further 30 for the fifth wicket with Jyd Goolie (9) before taking command of the innings, in a knock that lasted 88 balls and including five fours and a six.
Springer said it had been important to remain calm throughout the innings against Bangladesh.
“I was just playing each ball on its merit and trying to force the situation. Just take my time and see it right to the last ball,” he remarked.
Springer had an outstanding tournament overall. He smashed a hundred in the second group game against Fiji and chipped in with another half-century in the following must-win encounter against Zimbabwe.
He finished with seven wickets with his medium pace.
Springer, who captured the imagination at the event with his celebratory dances, said he was thrilled to be part of the winning squad. “It is a great feeling to be part of the World Cup team and also to be part of the first ever West Indies Under-19 team [to win a World Cup].”
