Windhoek, January 25: In a rain-interrupted thriller at the High Performance Oval, West Indies Under-19s secured a commanding 25-run victory over Ireland in the Super Six stage of the 2026 U19 World Cup, thanks to the lethal spell from pacer Meka McKenzie.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, West Indies stumbled early, losing both openers with just 30 runs on the board. Jewel Andrew then steadied the ship alongside skipper Joshua Da Silva, forging a crucial 37-run stand for the third wicket to push the score to 67.
Da Silva departed for 17 off 28 balls, but Andrew linked up with Jonathan Van Lange for a match-defining 67-run partnership, hauling the total to 134. Van Lange’s explosive 66 off 82 deliveries, featuring four sixes and four boundaries, proved to be the cornerstone of the innings. Adian Roach chipped in with 28, as did Andrew himself.
Ireland’s bowlers struck back effectively, with Reuben Wilson claiming a haul of three wickets. Luke Murray and James West picked up two each, while Oliver Riley and Thomas Ford grabbed one apiece, bundling West Indies out for 226 in 46.5 overs.
Chasing 227 in a rain-shortened 40-over game, Ireland started brightly with openers James West and Freddie Ogilvie adding 47 in 12.4 overs. Ogilvie fell for 14 off 34 balls, but West’s belligerent 45 off 55 deliveries, laced with eight fours, carried Ireland to a promising position alongside Adam Lecky in a 35-run second-wicket stand.
However, McKenzie turned the game on its head, ripping through the middle order with a sensational 4/36 in 10 overs. Vitel Lodge supported with 2 wickets, and Roach snared one, as Ireland limped to 164/7 when rain forced the abandonment. By Duckworth-Lewis calculations, West Indies emerged victorious by 25 runs, boosting their Super Six campaign.