West Indies quicks dismantle Sri Lanka after Johnson’s century

Sri Lanka’s Malsha Tharupathi plays a pull shot during his innings of 51

West Indian Jordan Johnson rejoices on reaching his century

West Indian Tarrique Edward poured more frustrations on the Lankan bowlers with 53 off 36 balls

West Indies fast bowler Isai Thorne celebrates a wicket

West Indies bounced back from their defeat in the first Under-19 Youth ODI to thrash Sri Lanka by 195 runs in the second game and level the three-match series 1-all at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Invited to bat first, West Indies powered their way to an imposing total of 320-8 and then knocked off Sri Lanka for 125 in a superior display of all-round cricket.West Indies were indebted to their third wicket pair Joshua Dorne and Jordan Johnson who figured in a 160-run partnership that laid the foundation for their final score.

Johnson dominated the stand with a scorching knock of 105 off 79 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes) as he knocked the sails off the Lankan bowlers. Dorne was more circumspect scoring 56 off 73 balls (6 fours). Sri Lanka broke through the West Indies middle order to have them at 249-7, but all-rounder Tarrique Edward poured more frustration on the Lankans when he smacked an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes) to complete Sri Lanka’s misery. With all his frontline bowlers coming for some rough treatment at the hands of the West Indies batsmen, skipper Sineth Jayawardene brought himself on and picked up four wickets with his part-time off-breaks.

Sri Lanka’s innings never gained momentum as half the side was back in the pavilion for 34 runs inside the first power play. At one time Sri Lanka looked like getting bowled out for less than 100 when they were 86-7, but some power hitting by all-rounder Malsha Tharupathi (51 off 35 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) saw them reach 125.   Seamers Isai Thorne, Deshawn James and Nathan Edward with eight wickets between them were the main destroyers of the Lankan batting. The decisive third and final Youth ODI on 1 September. – (ST)

Scores: West Indies (Under-19) 320-8 (50) (Adrian Weir 32, Joshua Dorne 56, Jordan Johnson 105, Mavendra Dindyal 22, Tarrique Edward 53*, Sineth Jayawardene 4/36)

Sri Lanka (Under-19) 125 (30.5) (Malsha Tharupathi 51, Nathan Edward 2/17, Deshawn James 3/30, Isai Thorne 3/18)