NORTH SOUND, Antigua – Skipper Joshua Dorne delivered a captain’s performance for the ages, producing with both bat and ball to steer the West Indies Under-19s to a dramatic three-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka in the sixth Youth One-Day International at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The tense win, sealed with eight balls to spare, handed the Caribbean side an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven-match series, rendering Monday’s finale a formality.
Dorne dominates with ball, then bat
Sri Lanka, needing victory to keep the series alive, piled up a formidable 287 for six after being sent in. Dorne, the off-spinner, was the pick of the attack, prying out two crucial wickets – first breaking a 114-run opening stand when he had Dimantha Mahavithana stumped for 49, then removing Senuja Wekunagoda cheaply.
The tourists, however, rode the fluent stroke play of Viran Chamuditha, who struck 88 off 85 balls, and a late surge from Vimath Dinsara, whose unbeaten 58 came off just 57 deliveries with four towering sixes, to set a testing total.
But when the Windies slumped to 125 for five in reply, Sri Lanka looked firmly in control. That was before Dorne’s moment of destiny arrived.
The right-hander played with authority and maturity beyond his years, striking a match-winning 95 that anchored the chase. His innings combined resilience with bursts of clean hitting, and when he finally departed just shy of a century, the home side still needed 27 runs.
A partnership that changed the game
Dorne’s 115-run sixth-wicket partnership with Jonathan van Lange proved the turning point. Van Lange’s fluent 50 off 43 balls relieved the pressure, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers who had dominated the early exchanges.
Van Lange eventually fell to a return catch, but by then the tide had turned decisively in the Windies’ favor.
Even after Dorne’s dismissal, there was no panic. Shaquan Belle entered the fray and provided the final flourish, smashing an unbeaten 21 off 13 balls to carry his side across the line in a blaze of confidence and control.
Sri Lanka’s bright start fades
Earlier, the visitors had seemed poised to dictate the contest. The opening pair of Chamuditha and Mahavithana gave Sri Lanka the perfect launch with a commanding century stand. Yet once Chamuditha was bowled by Brendan Boodoo for 88, the innings faltered as three wickets fell for just 10 runs.
Although Dinsara’s late assault restored momentum, Sri Lanka ultimately fell short of protecting their total as the Caribbean youngsters, led by their indomitable captain, mounted a thrilling counter-attack.
The three-wicket win ensured the West Indies will take the series regardless of Monday’s result. For Dorne, it was a statement of leadership and all-around brilliance, confirming his pivotal role in the side’s rise.
