Zaida James Leads Dream Debut For West Indies Under-19.

All-rounder Zaida James of St. Lucia became more of a household name on Sunday as her exceptional performance helped the ‘Rising Stars’ register a historic victory in their opening match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup against Ireland in South Africa.

James the Anchor

Ireland’s skipper Amy Hunter won the toss and elected to field. Openers James and Shunelle Sawh saw the team through the first half of the innings unscathed. James was the aggressor within the powerplay, as she smashed five fours against a bit of wayward bowling by the Irish. The pair made 61 before Aimee Maguire bowled Sawh for 15 off 25 deliveries. Naijanni Cumberbatch came to the crease and James soon scored her maiden World Cup fifty in the 16^th over. The pair batted steadily and took the score past 100 as they benefited from wides and extras in the field.

West Indies U19 — Zaida James lifted in celebration by her teammates.
Photo credit: Windies Cricket

After adding 45 for the second wicket, Freya Sergeant accounted for James caught on the boundary as she attempted to accelerate the scoring towards the end of the innings. The St. Lucian made a vital 52 runs striking eight fours during her stay at the crease. Sargent then picked up Barbadian Trishan Holder two balls later without scoring. She finished with the best bowling figures of 2 wickets for 9 off 4 overs. Jannilea Glasgow helped Cumberbatch add 19 in the last two and a half overs to see the West Indies finish on 125 for the loss of 3 wickets at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

Ireland steady in their reply

The West Indies started the defence of their total with some disciplined bowling. Pacers Glasgow and KD Jazz Mitchell bowled a consistent line and length in the opening overs. Glasgow struck first for the Rising Stars as she had opener Siuin Woods caught by Shalini Samaroo at mid-wicket for 8. Samaroo and Guyanese skipper Ashmini Munisar later kept the bowling tight as Ireland approached the middle of the innings, but a few misfields ensured that they kept the run rate ticking as they registered 55 for the loss of 1 wicket in the first 10 overs.

James the Destroyer

After the drinks break, the left-arm James was introduced into the attack and broke the partnership bowling Amy Hunter for 21. Georgina Dempsey followed, adjudged LBW after walking across her stumps to Munisar, misreading the line of the ball. However, opener Annabel Squires seemed intent on taking Ireland home and spanked two fours as the required run rate began to decrease. James, who interestingly bowled medium pace in the past, but was now bowling off-spin, accounted for Squires and Harrison in her third over. She struck again bowling Joanna Loughran and finishing with 4 wickets as her teammates swarmed around her when they began to sniff victory.

There were a few tense moments in the closing two overs of the game as Sargent and Craig played some determined strokes along the ground to achieve the winning target. However, smart bowling by Mitchell in the last over would ensure that Ireland were denied two points as the West Indies won by 7 runs.