It was yet another contest that went down to the wire, as the hosts bounced back and secured a 2-2 series tie, courtesy a brilliant showing with the ball.
The junior Proteas got off to an excellent start, as seamers Matthew Boast and Aphiwe Mnyanda sent both openers back cheaply. However, a quickfire 43 from 46 from Teddy Bishop helped wrest some of the lost momentum. A handy 30 from wicketkeeper Rivaldo Clarke helped stitch together a crucial stand of 58 with Bishop.
However, both Bishop’s and Clarke’s dismissals brought about a collapse. Dewald Brevis spun a web with his leg breaks and skittled out the tailenders with ease, as the West Indies were bundled out for just 126
In response, the Windies bowlers got to work. Seamer Johann Layne claimed the wickets of the top 3 within the first 7 overs. A rather small target soon started to grow in stature, as the middle-order batters fell in quick succession to McKenny Clarke.
The introduction of spin nearly brought the innings to an end, with the South Africans in all sorts of trouble at 74/9. However, the situation took another turn as Asakhe Tshaka and Aphiwe Mnyanda tried to resurrect the chase.
Unfortunately, their potential comeback came to a screeching halt, when left-arm spinner claimed the last wicket of Mnyanda, sealing a 19-run victory.
WI U19 126 all out (Bishop 43, Clarke 30 – Brevis 4-1-11-4)
SA U19 107 all out (Mnyanda 20 – Carmichael 2.5-0-14-3, Claire 6-0-23-3, Layne 8-0-34-3)