Andrew’s half century lone bright spark for Windies in opening warmup match

Jewel Andrew stroked an impressive half century in an otherwise unimpressive batting display by the West Indies Under-19s in their first warmup match of the ICC Cricket World Cup against Ireland, which was abandoned here on Saturday due to rain.

Andrew scored 81 from 107 balls with seven fours and three sixes, as the Windies were bowled out for 246 in 42.5 overs after choosing to bat first at the Wanderers Cricket Ground.

Ireland, however, never got the opportunity to begin their run chase with heavy and persistent showers forcing the match to be called off.

Andrew was instrumental in helping the West Indies reach their eventual target after several other batters got starts but failed to carry on.

He added 44 with opener Zachary Carter, who made 26, following the early loss of Tanez Francis for two and then added 36 with captain Joshua Dorne to see the Windies progress to 95 for two in the 17th over.

However, they lost three wickets in quick succession to slump to 117 for five, before Andrew and Jonathan van Lange, who hit a quickfire 28 off 21 balls, put on 47 runs for the sixth wicket.

The Windies then suffered another mini slide, losing three more wickets for the addition of just five runs, to collapse to 169 for eight.

But Andrew found a capable partner in Isra-el Morton, who scored 36 off 33 balls, and the pair carried the regional side past the 200-run mark during a 46-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

And when Jewel was eventually dismissed, the last wicket pair of Morton and Aadian Racha added 31 valuable runs, before the former was run out.

Luke Murray was Ireland’s best bowler with 3-39, while Thomas Ford (2-38) and Febin Manoj (2-57) provided good support. (CMC)

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