PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – A pulsating half-century from Eboni Brathwaite lit up the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday, but it ultimately proved insufficient as the United States Women’s Under-19 team snatched a nail-biting three-wicket victory over the West Indies Women Under-19s in the fourth Youth T20 International.
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The result handed the visitors a 2-1 advantage in the closely contested six-match series, with two matches still to play.
Brathwaite shines amidst batting collapse
In an innings that sparkled with intent and power, Brathwaite carved a masterful 53 off just 37 deliveries, hammering five boundaries and four towering sixes. Her counterattacking flair was the bedrock of the regional side’s modest total of 89 for eight after 20 overs.
West Indies had found themselves in early trouble after a shaky start, but a resilient 65-run partnership between Brathwaite and Brianna Harricharan for the fourth wicket briefly restored hope, propelling the score to 71 for three in the 16th over.
However, disaster struck when Brathwaite was run out in the 16th over, triggering a dramatic collapse. The hosts lost five wickets for just 18 runs, stumbling to a sub-par finish that left them vulnerable.
USA bowlers apply the squeeze
The American bowling attack proved disciplined and clinical. Saanvi Immadi led the charge with three wickets for 23 runs, while Aditi Kumar’s spell of 2-9 and Maahi Madhavan’s 2-18 tightened the screws in the middle and death overs.
Their collective effort restricted West Indies from building on Brathwaite’s fireworks, leaving the hosts with an uphill battle in the field.
West Indies fight back with the ball
Defending a small total, the Caribbean side showed remarkable grit. Captain Samara Ramnath led from the front, grabbing 2-12, while Naijanni Cumberbatch and Brianna Harricharan chipped in with 2-14 each. Their efforts reduced USA to 69 for seven, putting an improbable win within touching distance.
For a moment, it seemed the Windies might pull off a dramatic heist.
Cool heads prevail in the endgame
But the visitors held their nerve in the dying stages. Madhavan, having earlier starred with the ball, returned to produce a match-winning cameo of 10 not out, joining forces with Taranum Chopra, who contributed a steady nine not out.
Together, they fashioned an unbroken 23-run stand that sealed the win for the Americans with four deliveries to spare, silencing the local crowd and swinging the momentum in favor of the visitors.
Earlier in the innings, Chetna Pagydyala and Sainavi Kambalapalli had provided early impetus with identical scores of 19, ensuring USA stayed in the hunt despite regular setbacks.
With the series finely poised, both teams will now regroup ahead of the penultimate clash. The Windies will look to level the series, while the USA will be eager to clinch the contest and make a statement on Caribbean soil.
