In a pulsating start to the seven-match Youth One-Day International series, the West Indies Under-19s staged a breathtaking comeback to seal a 12-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
Chasing 257, Sri Lanka appeared firmly in control at 225 for five in the 44th over, anchored by a magnificent century from Kavija Gamage. With just 32 runs needed from 38 deliveries and five wickets still intact, the visitors seemed destined for a commanding win—until a stunning West Indies fightback rewrote the script.
Collapse sparks Caribbean celebration
The turning point came when pacer Jakeem Pollard bowled Gamage for a sparkling 123 off 104 balls, an innings laced with 14 fours and three sixes. That breakthrough ignited panic in the Sri Lankan ranks. Nine runs later, Pollard returned to castle Adam Hilmy for 41, leaving the visitors reeling at 234 for seven.
From there, chaos reigned. Tharusha Navodya and Kugathas Mathulan were both run out in quick succession before Aadian Racha applied the finishing touch, bowling Sethmika Seneviratne for 11 to seal the West Indies’ improbable triumph. Sri Lanka had crumbled spectacularly, losing their last five wickets for just 19 runs.
Pollard spearheaded the attack with 3-34, while Racha and Matthew Miller chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Gamage’s heroics in vain
Earlier, Gamage had almost single-handedly carried Sri Lanka back into contention. Coming to the crease after Miller’s early burst reduced the tourists to 38 for four, he first shared a steadying 75-run stand with Chamika Heenatigala (22), then dominated a commanding 112-run partnership with Hilmy that put Sri Lanka on the brink of victory.
But once Gamage’s resistance was broken, Sri Lanka’s hopes collapsed with him.
Van Lange anchors West Indies innings
The home side’s total of 256 was built on the resilience of Jonathan van Lange, whose composed 83 from 94 balls anchored the innings. Aggressive opener Zachary Carter had given the Windies a brisk start with 39 off 21 deliveries, but a middle-order wobble sparked by Vigneshwaran Akash (4-33) left them tottering at 108 for five.
Van Lange found crucial support from Miller (33) in a 64-run partnership, and later from Racha (22), guiding the team past 200. He was eventually the last man out, dismissed off the penultimate ball of the innings.
Series set for fireworks
The victory not only gave the West Indies a 1-0 lead but also infused the young squad with belief ahead of Tuesday’s second Youth ODI. For Sri Lanka, the collapse will sting, especially after Gamage’s heroic century had put them within touching distance of glory.
