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By Samuel Peters
Matthew Miller couldn’t have asked for a better 17th birthday present as he starred with both bat and ball to guide the West Indies Under-19s to a nail-biting 12-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of their seven-match 50-over series at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Saturday.
The birthday boy, making his debut alongside nine other first-time cap recipients, emerged as the hero when his team needed him most. After the hosts won the toss and elected to bat, they found themselves in early trouble at 97 for four in the 16th over before Miller’s composed innings helped turn the tide.
Striding to the crease during a crisis, Miller displayed maturity beyond his years with a well-crafted 33 from 47 deliveries. His crucial 64-run partnership with Jonathan Van de Lange proved to be the foundation of the West Indies’ recovery, allowing them to post a competitive total of 256 all out. Van de Lange top-scored with an impressive 83, while Zachary Carter contributed 39 and Aadian Racha added 25. Sri Lanka’s Vigneshwaran Akash was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for 33 runs.
When Sri Lanka began their chase, Miller immediately made his mark with the new ball. His pace bowling proved equally effective as his batting, as he struck twice in his opening spell to reduce the visitors to a precarious 38 for four. He finished with figures of 2-59, sharing the new ball duties with Jakeem Pollard, who delivered an economical performance of 3-34 from nine overs.
However, the match was far from over as Sri Lankan batsman Kavija Gamage launched a spectacular counter-attack that threatened to snatch victory from the hosts’ grasp. Gamage’s explosive 123 from 103 balls, featuring three sixes and 14 boundaries, single-handedly kept Sri Lanka in contention. The right-hander anchored two vital partnerships – first a 75-run stand with Chamika Heenatigala (22), followed by a commanding 112-run partnership with wicketkeeper Aadham Hilmy (41) that brought Sri Lanka within touching distance of their target.
With Gamage at the crease and the score at 225 for six, Sri Lanka needed just 32 runs from 38 balls with victory well within reach. However, cricket’s unpredictable nature intervened as the visitors suffered a dramatic collapse after losing their set batsmen in quick succession. Miller, Pollard, and Racha returned to apply the finishing touches with the ball, restricting Sri Lanka to 244 all out and securing a memorable victory for the young West Indians.
The evenly-matched contest provided excellent entertainment and showcased the talent on both sides. With six matches remaining in the series, both teams will be eager to build on this opening encounter when they meet again on Monday at the same venue. For Miller, it was a birthday celebration he’ll never forget – marking his international debut with a match-winning all-round performance that announced his arrival on the regional stage in style.
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