KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CMC):
STEVE JACOBS hit a hundred at better than a run a ball to set the stage for young West Indies (yWI) to overpower young Papua (yPNG) New Guinea by 176 runs in the ICC Youth World Cup yesterday.
Jacobs top scored with an 86-ball 101 as the West Indies, sent in to bat, were dismissed for 319 in 49.4 overs in their latest Group B match at the Royal Selangor Club in the Malaysia capital.
Jason Dawes then helped the YWI formalise the result when he snared four wickets for 25 runs from eight overs, as YPNG were bowled out for 143 in 37.1 overs.
The victory has elevated YWI into second place in the group, on net run rate, ahead of Young South Africa, and sets up an intriguing finale with Young India tomorrow at Kinrara Oval in a match for which CMC has made live radio and television coverage available in the Caribbean.
Jacobs, batting at three, struck 11 fours and two sixes, and shared three solid partnerships that laid the foundation for YWI's challenging total.
Caught behind
He added 67 for the second wicket with Kieran Powell before the left-handed opener was caught behind off Loa Nou for 60 from 35 balls that included eight fours and two sixes.
Jacobs then put on 45 with Shamarh Brooks before the YWI captain was caught in the deep off his opposite number Colin Amini for a run-a-ball 20.
But the partnership which broke the backs of YPNG was a fourth-wicket stand between Jacobs and Darren Bravo, after Andre Creary retired hurt.
Bravo, the younger brother of senior West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, made 59 from 68 balls, which contained half-dozen boundaries.
There was little substance from the rest of the YWI batting, except for Nkrumah Bonner, who made 34 not out off 31 balls.
Most successful YPNG bowler
Medium-paced bowler Loa Nou collected four wickets for 63 runs from 9.4 overs to be the most successful YPNG bowler and Joel Tom supported with two for 56 from nine overs.
Dawes then rocked the YPNG when he flattened their top order with hostile and penetrative fast bowling. Tony Ura hit a breezy 31 from 21 balls, but failed to carry on and there were no meaningful partner-ships to stabilise the YPNG innings which faded under the pressure.
In other matches, hosts Young Malaysia embarrassed Young Zimbabwe when they coasted to a 70-run victory; Young Bangladesh brushed aside Young Ireland by eight wickets and Young Sri Lanka crushed Young Namibia by 163 runs.
