Despite a significant setback in their previous match, the West Indies Under-19 cricket team is channeling confidence as they prepare for a decisive Group D encounter against South Africa in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Captain Jewel Andrew has publicly affirmed the squad’s resilient morale, identifying the upcoming Thursday fixture as critical for their aspirations to advance to the tournament’s Super Six phase.
The Caribbean side’s campaign began promisingly with a five-wicket victory over Tanzania. However, their momentum was abruptly halted by a heavy 138-run defeat to Afghanistan. This result has positioned the team third in their group with two points, narrowly trailing South Africa on net run rate while undefeated Afghanistan leads with four points.
In a tactical post-match analysis, Captain Andrew pinpointed a crucial period where his team lost control against Afghanistan. He acknowledged that while the powerplay was effectively managed, the team’s delayed adaptation to the pitch conditions proved costly. ‘The wicket was slow and low, which is something we are accustomed to in the Caribbean. I believe we took too long to adjust to familiar conditions, and that ultimately hampered our performance,’ Andrew stated.
The wicketkeeper-batsman also suggested a strategic misstep in bowling choices, indicating that introducing spin bowling earlier might have yielded better results. He emphasized the importance of tactical flexibility moving forward, noting the effectiveness of spin in the previous match.
Beyond technical adjustments, Andrew highlighted the team’s psychological preparedness. He described a supportive environment where players look to each other for solutions under coach guidance. The captain emphasized that solid preparation provides foundation for confidence, which will be essential against South Africa.
In other tournament developments, the New Zealand-Bangladesh match in Bulawayo was abandoned without result due to weather conditions. Meanwhile, Australia demonstrated strong form with an eight-wicket victory over Japan in Windhoek, propelled by opener Will Malajczuk’s commanding century of 102 runs.
The group stage continues with Afghanistan positioned to secure their Super Six qualification with a victory over Tanzania on Wednesday, while Group C features a contest between unbeaten England and Scotland.