Two Antiguans, leg-spinner Micah McKenzie and young batting sensation Jewel Andrew, played instrumental roles to propel the West Indies Academy to level their three-match 50-over series with Sri Lanka Emerging Players on Tuesday.
After Sri Lanka Emerging Players took a one-nil lead with a five-wicket victory in the first match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday, the West Indies Academy drew level by snatching a 19-run win over the visitors in the second encounter at the same venue.
The West Indies Academy made 290 for nine off their 50 overs after losing the toss and being sent in to bat. Barbadian Rivaldo Clarke hit a run-a-ball 74, including five fours and two sixes.
Nevisian wicketkeeper/batsman Carlon Bowen-Tuckett cracked 50 off 57 balls, Andrew, who opened the innings, struck 45, and captain Teddy Bishop made 34 off 40 balls.
Joshua Bishop scored 24 off 19 balls, there was a contribution of 23 extras, and opener Ackeem Auguste made 19.
Right-arm pacer Garuka Sanketh captured four for 63, leg-spinner Melan Hasanka claimed two for 52, and fast bowler Dhananjaya Lakshan picked up two for 53.
Chasing 291 to win, Sri Lanka Emerging Players were restricted to 271 all out in 48.2 overs.
Antiguan McKenzie captured three for 70, Joshua Bishop claimed two for 44, and left-arm pacer Nathan Edward of St. Maarten picked up two for 48.
Middle-order batsman Sahan Kosala top-scored for the Sri Lankans with 75 off 87 balls, including nine boundaries, and Dhananjaya Lakshan hit 30 off 25 balls.
Opener Shevon Daniel struck 28 off 19 balls; there was a contribution of 28 extras, including 20 wides; Ravindu Fernando and Traveen Mathew each made 25, and Anjala Bandara chipped in with 22.
Both teams will clash in the third and final 50-over match to decide the series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Thursday (today), starting at 9:30 am.
