Jonathan van Lange delivered another sparkling innings to guide the West Indies Under-19s to a spirited six-wicket victory over England Under-19s in a rain-affected second Youth One-Day International on Tuesday.
The hosts, adapting superbly to shifting conditions and a revised target, seized full control of the seven-match series with a commanding 2-0 lead ahead of Thursday’s third encounter.
England stumble early before a captain’s rescue act
Persistent showers repeatedly disrupted England’s innings, but their real problems came much earlier. Reeling at 16 for three, they were rocked by a fiery burst from pacer Jakeem Pollard, who bowled Ben Dawkins without scoring before having Ben Mayes taken for three. England’s middle order fought to steady the ship, with Joe Moores contributing 27 and Will Bennison adding 20, but their back-to-back dismissals left the visitors wobbling at 70 for five in the 17th over.
It took captain Farhan Ahmed’s composure, an unbeaten 46, and Caleb Falconer’s sturdy 42 not out to pull England back into contention. Their unbroken 90-run stand gave the innings respectability at 160 for five before rain halted proceedings after 31.4 overs. Pollard finished with an incisive two for 20 from his five overs.
Revised target, renewed purpose
Set a Duckworth/Lewis/Stern-adjusted target of 191 from 31 overs, the young Caribbean side embraced the challenge with conviction. Openers Tyriek Bryan and Earsinho Fontaine stitched together an authoritative 84-run partnership in 17 overs, setting the foundation for a controlled chase. England clawed their way back as Jack Nelson removed Bryan for 31, ran out Fontaine for 39, and dismissed captain Joshua Dorne for nine, reducing the hosts to a slightly uneasy 98 for three.
Van Lange and Carter flip the script
Any hint of uncertainty evaporated when Jonathan van Lange strode to the crease. Joining Zachary Carter, the pair launched a blistering counterattack, hammering 76 runs in just eight overs to swing momentum decisively back toward the West Indies. Carter’s dismissal for 26 left 17 still needed, but the chase was firmly in hand.
Van Lange, unflinching and inventive, carried the innings all the way to the finish. His unbeaten 57 off 34 balls, decorated with five towering sixes and three crisp fours, sealed the victory with five balls to spare. Shaquan Belle provided calm support as the hosts surged to 192 for four, completing a mature and confident run chase.
Windies in command as series rolls on
With a second straight win and two standout innings in as many matches, Van Lange has emerged as the heartbeat of the West Indies batting unit. England, meanwhile, will seek answers ahead of the critical third match. For now, momentum sits squarely in the home side’s corner.
