Sealy leads WI U-19s to warm-up win against NZ

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CMC):

Vice-captain Nathan Sealy led a notable bowling performance, and West Indies Under-19s got a morale-boosting six-wicket win against New Zealand Under-19s in an ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup warm-up match yesterday in South Africa.

The Barbadian left-arm spinner bagged four for 21 from nine overs and five other bowlers took one wicket apiece. The West Indies dismissed the New Zealanders for 131 in 39.2 overs in the match at the Braam Fisherville Sports Complex.

Two of Sealy's victims were trapped lbw and another was bowled, to signify the accuracy of his spell after West Indies won the toss and decided to field.

Fellow Barbadian Joshua Dorne, not out on 45, and Antiguan Jewel Andrew, not out on 36, led the run chase for the West Indies.

They shared an unbroken stand of 58 for the fifth wicket to get the West Indies over the finish line with 25.1 overs remaining, after they stumbled to 74 for four in the 17th over.

The match is the first of two for West Indies, led by Stephan Pascal, ahead of their opening match in the World Cup against hosts South Africa on Friday at the J.B. Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

They face Nepal tomorrow at the St Stithians Main Oval.

West Indies never let New Zealand off the hook, taking wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings, and they reduced the Young Black Caps to 75 for five.

Tom Jones led the way with 24 for New Zealand, and Lachlan Stackpole got 23, but no other batsmen passed 20.

West Indies were 19 for two inside the first five overs. New Zealand pace bowling captain Oscar Jackson took two for 14 from three overs and had them wobbling further before they reached the halfway stage.

Dorne, batting at three, held the innings together with some composed batting and carried them the rest of the way in a stable partnership with Andrew.

For their first-round matches - all to be played at the J.B. Marks Oval - West Indies have been drawn alongside South Africa, Scotland, and England in Group B in the World Cup.

They face the Scots on January 24 and the English two days later.