GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Jamaica and West Indies youth captain, André Creary, stroked an elegant unbeaten 91, while consistent Barbadian opener Kraigg Braithwaite made 48, as the two West Indies Under-19 batsmen showed form in their first practice match on Sunday.

The West Indies Under-19s are preparing for the WICB President's Cup competition, which starts in Guyana tomorrow when they face Barbados in their opening match at Bourda and the practice game was used to get the players accustomed to the Guyanese conditions.

The 16-year-old Braithwaite struck a typically patient 48 from 89 balls with three fours and a five, as Jason Holder's XI fell for 155 in 47.2 overs at the Demerara Cricket Club Ground.

Delightful shots

The 18-year-old Creary, like Braithwaite, a member of the West Indies first Test squad which opposed Bangladesh in July, entertained the small crowd with some delightful shots on the small ground. His 91 came off 114 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, which spurred his side - chasing a revised total of 216 - to victory at 216 for five off 47.1 overs.

Creary, who has been playing at the regional Under-19 level since 2006 when he made his debut against Trinidad and Tobago at Bourda, mixed sound defence with attractive strokeplay as the right-hander, who represented the West Indies in the last Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, showed why he is regarded as the best Under-19 batsman in the region.

Resistance

Yannick Cariah (37) and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (31) were the only other batsmen to offer prolonged resistance.

John Campbell (0) was run out with just one run on the board, while Yannick Ottley (13) was removed by pacer Nicholson Gordon at 40 for two as Holder's X1 started badly in sweltering heat.

Holder (0) patted a half-volley from Creary to short extra cover after Cariah had pulled a full toss from the same bowler to deep backward square just when he seemed set for a big score.

Jermaine Blackwood charged down the track to left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and was stumped for a 'duck' and when the pint-sized Dowrich skied a catch to cover off leg-spinner Akeem Dewar at 154 fore eight, the innings ended quickly after that as Warrican (2-37) and Dewar (2-23) supported Creary.

Dewar showed his all-round worth with 22 while Dalton Polius made 15 before they were both removed by Campbell, who took two for 43 from 7.1 overs.

The West Indies under-19s played a second practice game yesterday at the Police ground. The players are also using the regional tournament as preparation for next year's Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.