At the Coolidge Cricket Ground on September 2, Sri Lanka Under-19s clinched a nail-biting, one-wicket victory over hosts West Indies in the second Youth ODI, leveling the series 1-1. Chasing 202, the visitors held their nerve in a contest that swung back and forth before being settled in the final overs.
The West Indies Under-19s endured a challenging outing with the bat after electing to take first strike. Despite a captain’s knock from Joshua Dorne, the hosts were bundled out for a modest 201 in 47.5 overs.
The decision to bat first backfired almost immediately as both openers fell inside the first three overs. From that shaky start, skipper Dorne shouldered responsibility, striking five boundaries in a composed 82 off 112 deliveries. Brendan Boodoo (28) and Jonathan Van Lange (26) offered brief support, but neither could build on their starts. Once Dorne was dismissed, the innings unraveled quickly as Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened their grip on the contest.
For the visitors, Vigneshwaran Akash once again spearheaded the attack, finishing with 3 for 30 to continue his excellent series. Viran Chamuditha and Kavija Gamage claimed two wickets apiece, ensuring regular breakthroughs.
Chasing 202 for victory, Sri Lanka found valuable contributions from Pulisha Thilakaratane and Senuja Wekunagoda, who both made 24. Captain Vimath Dinsara steadied the innings with a well-paced 45 from 61 deliveries, hitting five boundaries. Wickets continued to fall at crucial stages, but the lower order refused to panic. Sethmika Seneviratne’s patient 16 from 31 balls proved decisive, guiding Sri Lanka to 204 for 9 in 48 overs and sealing a tense one-wicket triumph.
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