Van Lange, Racha carry Windies to crucial win over Sri Lanka

NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC):

JONATHAN VAN Lange and Aadian Racha shared an unbroken partnership of 28 for the ninth wicket as the West Indies Under-19s held on to earn an important two-wicket win over Sri Lanka Under-19s in the fifth Youth One-Day International in Antigua yesterday.

Chasing the visitors’ total of 172 in 48 overs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, West Indies slid to 145 for eight before van Lange, who scored an unbeaten 24, and Racha, who made 17 not out, steadied the ship and carried them to 173 for eight in 47.4 overs.

It gave the West Indies a crucial 3-2 lead over Sri Lanka in their best-of-seven series and needing just one more win to clinch the series.

The home side seemed to be coasting to victory when opener Micah Greenidge and Earshino Fontaine were at the crease during a 101-run partnership that propelled them to 104 for one in the 25th over.

But, once Vigneshwaran Akash struck to break the partnership by bowling Fontaine for 48 and, having Greenidge caught and bowled for 40, in the space of three overs, the West Indies lost seven wickets for 41 runs, with Akash responsible for four of the wickets to fall.

However, with Sri Lanka in the ascendancy, van Lange and Racha came together to take the Windies to their second successive win.

Earlier, medium pacers Racha and Shaquan Belle claimed three wickets apiece to help restrict Sri Lanka to a below-par total.

Opener Dimantha Mahavithana top-scored with 38 and Chamika Heenatigala hit 36, but Sri Lanka also needed a herculean effort from their lower order to get up to their total after slipping to 136 for eight.

Racha finished with figures of 3-37, Belle took 3-43 and Jakeem Pollard, 2-12.

The sixth Youth ODI will take place on Friday.