WI Team at U19 World Cup: Bishop, Wickham propel West Indies to 11th Place over Zimbabwe

Already out of the Plate finals, West Indies U19 needed a win to boost their morale as they battled Zimbabwe in the 11th Place Play-off at the Diego Martin ground in Trinidad.

Centuries from Teddy Bishop and the in-form Kevin Wickham ensured the men in maroon depart the competition with something to feel proud about.

Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 256-4 in their allotment of 50 overs. The local side’s bowling lacked penetration, and the men from Zimbabwe settled down and began to score with relative freedom. Despite two early wickets, Steven Saul and Brian Bennett put together a 55-run stand before Saul fell for 34.

It wasn’t over, as Brian Bennett then formed with David Bennett a partnership that took them to 182-3 before Brain fell for 62. From there, David and Connor Mitchell took Zimbabwe the rest of the journey, and David ended on 77, while Mitchell scored a spanking 42 off 26 deliveries.

Bowling for West Indies, Johann Layne returned figures of 2-44 while Giovante Depeiza returned 1-42.

In the chase, Mathew Nandu was the first to go, scoring one off seven deliveries; but from there, Bishop and Wickham cast anchor and carried the innings the rest of the way. They were untouchable, and the men in maroon never look so good.
The duo put together a partnership of 194 runs as they frustrated their opponents.

Coming closer to the end, Wickham was dismissed for 104, but Bishop carried the game, and remained unbeaten on 112 alongside Rivaldo Clarke, who was on 28.

For West Indies, the most impressive was Kevin Wickham, who got his chance, and from his four games was able to score 243 runs at an average of 81. For bowlers, Shiva Sankar bagged 9 wickets from his six games at an economy rate of 4.18 and a best of 3-17.