The West Indies Under-19s turned what looked like a collapse into a comeback as Jonathan Van Lange and Aadian Racha guided them to a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Under-19s in the fifth Youth One-Day International at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest 173 for victory, the hosts were cruising at 104 for one before unraveling in spectacular fashion, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs. With the game tilting heavily in Sri Lanka’s favor, Van Lange (24 not out) and Racha (17 not out) stood firm, stitching together an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership worth 28 runs that dragged their side across the finish line in the 48th over.
The result pushed West Indies into a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven contest, leaving them just one win away from sealing the series.
Greenidge and Fontaine build the platform
Earlier, West Indies appeared in full control. Micah Greenidge (40) and Earshino Fontaine (48) combined in a superb second-wicket stand of 101 that carried the home side to 104 for one in the 25th over. Their disciplined batting seemed to have broken the back of the chase.
But Sri Lanka’s Vigneshwaran Akash had other ideas. In a devastating spell, he bowled Fontaine, then produced a sharp return catch to dismiss Greenidge. Within three overs, the momentum had swung. From that point, the West Indies innings unraveled alarmingly, Akash finishing with four wickets in a hostile burst that reduced the chase to chaos.
Sri Lanka’s effort with the bat
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka were themselves undone by disciplined West Indies bowling. After reaching 136 for eight, the visitors needed late resistance to push their total to 172 in 48 overs.
Opener Dimantha Mahavithana (38) and Chamika Heenatigala (36) provided the bulk of the scoring, but the rest of the top order faltered. The Caribbean attack was led by Aadian Racha (3-37) and Shaquan Belle (3-43), with Jakeem Pollard (2-12) delivering an incisive spell that crippled the middle order.
Van Lange and Racha hold their nerves
In the end, the day belonged to Van Lange and Racha, whose composure under mounting pressure denied Sri Lanka a dramatic comeback win. Their calculated stroke play, coupled with sound judgment in running between the wickets, turned a tense chase into a successful mission.
As the crowd at North Sound exhaled, the scoreboard read 173 for eight in 47.4 overs—a reminder of how fragile yet thrilling youth cricket can be.
What’s next
The two sides return to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday for the sixth Youth ODI, with the West Indies eyeing a series-clinching performance and Sri Lanka desperate to keep the contest alive.
