DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka, CMC – Fast bowler Isai Thorne labelled tomorrow’s decisive third Youth One-Day International as a “really big game”, after West Indies Under-19s thrashed Sri Lanka Under-19s by 195 runs to level the three-match series here yesterday.
The Caribbean side suffered a six-wicket defeat in last Sunday’s opener but rebounded in style with a dominant all-round display in the second encounter, left-hander Jordan Johnson hitting a thrilling 105 and fast bowlers Thorne (3-18) and Deshawn James (3-30) helping to spearhead the win.
“We started well with the bat and then the bowlers came and did an excellent job to finish off the game for the team,” said Thorne.
“I was trying to stay patient and do what was required for the team. The last game will be big for us on Friday … that will be a really big game for us … we will play hard to win.
“To come over here and win a series would be something great for us as a team and for West Indies fans.”
West Indies Under-19s’ bowlers never let the hosts settle, James and left-arm seamer Nathan Edward (2-17) scything through the top order to reduce the innings to 34 for five, before Thorne followed up by ripping out the lower order, as the run chase collapsed for 125 all out in the 31st over.
The victory was built on an excellent batting effort, Johnson 79-ball knock making the headlines and Joshua Dorne’s 56 from 73 balls and number eight Tarrique Edward’s unbeaten 53 from 36 balls, providing the support.
Jordan, a free-scoring batsman who was key to Jamaica’s domination of the recently staged West Indies Under-19 Championships, said the tourists had “ticked all the boxes.”
“It feels great to get my first century in West Indies colours and [it’s an] even better feeling that it helped us to win this match and stay in the series. Coming into this series I wanted to do well and everything clicked today,” Johnson said.
“My thoughts while at the crease was to bat as deep as possible …. knowing my ability, I knew I could do it and I was pleased with the way I played.
“We played a good game of cricket today… we ticked all the boxes we wanted to as a team, so we are high on confidence heading into the final match.”
