Arjune Nandu enjoys son Matthew’s half-century in U-19 World Cup warm-up

A pair of proud fathers were among the first fans watching action in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, which saw India Under-19s beat the West Indies Under-19 side by 108 runs in the warm-up encounter.
Batting first, India U-19s posted 278-6 in 50 overs with Nishant Sindhu, scoring an unbeaten 78 and Yash Dull scoring 52. Johann Layne claimed 3-51 for the West Indies. In reply, West Indies posted 178 all out in 43 overs, with Guyanese Matthew Nandu scoring 52 from 101 balls while Carlon Bowen-Tuckett made 20. Kaushal Tambe claimed 3-30 while Manav Parakh had 3-34.

Although it was a warm-up match, Wayne Auguste and Arjune Nandu were riveted to the activity in the middle as their sons – Ackeem Auguste and Matthew Nandu respectively – were in the thick of battle for the West Indies versus India at the Providence venue. Both fathers have been following their sons’ progress for years and are hoping this campaign on home turf will be successful. For the St Lucian Auguste it would be particularly pleasing if the Rising Stars could win the tournament.
“My son is the Captain of West Indies Under 19s. I’m happy and proud that he is learning and growing in the sport. He started a very long time ago and just to see him progress makes me feel good,” said Auguste.
“I always travel whenever he plays. I follow him around. Ackeem has been playing cricket since he was about two-and-a-half years old – so we’ve been at it a long time. He definitely wants to go all the way in cricket, and we give him all the support possible.”

Meanwhile, the elder Nandu – who played First-Class cricket for Guyana (1988-1992) and two Youth Tests for West Indies Under-19s (1990) – left the talking to his other son, Marcus Nandu, also a talented cricketer who was in Canada’s squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2018.
“It’s a nice feeling to see him playing for the West Indies. Normally, we play together so to see him out there is cool,” said 21-year-old Marcus of his 18-year-old brother who scored a half-century in a losing cause.
Regarding the family’s plan for the tournament, which starts on Friday with the West Indies opposing Australia at the same venue, Marcus revealed he and his dad would “watch the matches in Guyana and then we may go to St Kitts”.
Auguste – whose son suffered a first-ball duck – is hoping his travels will take him all the way to Antigua and Barbuda – to watch the West Indies in the business end of the event.
Warm-up fixtures continue today (Monday) at ECC and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in Guyana and, in St Kitts and Nevis, at Warner Park and Conaree Cricket Center. (Adapted from ICC)