Brathwaite’s half-century in vain as USA U19s take series lead

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

EBONI BRATHWAITE scored an impressive half-century, but it was not enough as USA Women Under-19s pulled off a thrilling three-wicket victory over West Indies Women Under-19s in the fourth Youth T20I on Wednesday.

Brathwaite smashed a boundary-studded 53 from just 37 balls, with five fours and four sixes, and was the mainstay of West Indies’ below-par total of 89 for eight in their 20 overs.

USA then suffered some nervy moments but held on to score 92 for seven in 19.2 overs to take a 2-1 lead in the six-match series.

West Indies would have been disappointed with their eventual total after Brathwaite, along with Brianna Harricharan, added 65 runs for the fourth wicket, following a top-order collapse, that saw them recover to 71 for three in the 16th over.

But once Brathwaite was run out, the middle order crumbled, and they lost five wickets for the addition of just 18 runs.

For the USA, Saanvi Immadi took 3-23, while Aditi Kumar (2-9) and Maahi Madhavan (2-18) provided support.

Windies captain Samara Ramnath, Naijanni Cumberbatch and Harricharan then took two wickets apiece to reduce USA to 69 for seven and give themselves a chance of pulling off an unexpected win.

However, Madhavan scored an unbeaten 10, and shared an unbroken 23-run partnership with Taranum Chopra, who finished on nine not out, to see USA to victory with four balls remaining in the contest.

Chetna Pagydyala and Sainavi Kambalapalli both scored 19 to be the top scorers for the USA.

Ramnath ended with 2-12, Cumberbatch took 2-14, and Harricharan 2-14.