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Junior Proteas slump to defeat against West Indies

football22 January 2026 15:12| © MWP
By:Neil Manthorp
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Opener Zachary Carter hammered a dazzling century and fast bowler Shaquan Belle claimed six-wickets to usher South Africa to a comprehensive 55-run defeat in their final group match at the Under-19 World Cup at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek on Thursday.

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Carter’s brilliant 114 from just 104 balls laid the platform for a formidable score but left-arm fast bowler JJ Basson (10-2-23-5) led a stirring fightback to dismss the West Indies for a modest total of 233 in 47.5 overs but the junior Proteas slumped to 179 all out in 37.4 overs.

Adnaan Lagadien (10) and captain Muhammad Bulbulia (3) both mistimed drives against seamer Shaquan Belle (10-0-40-6) while Jorich van Schalkwyk (20) was lbw playing no shot to an inswinging arm ball from left-arm spinner Isra-el Morton.

Armaan Manack (17) pushed a delivery straight to livewire fielder Micah McKenzie at cover and was run out attempting an impossible single – it was South Africa’s sixth run out in three games.

Jason Rowles once again looked a class apart after scores of 98 and 125* in the opening two games but the left-hander’s 46 from 40 balls (4x4, 2x6) was ended by a magnificent delivery from left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes which pitched on middle stump and clipped the top of off.

Belle collected his third wicket with an edge from Paul James (7) to ‘keeper Jewel Andrew and he used the short ball especially well – and South Africa played it especially poorly – to wrap up the lower order with some ease.

Earlier the West Indies were ominously poised at 115-1 after 22 overs forcing captain Bulbulia to turn in some desperation to his opening bowler, Basson, for a wicket.

Instead of one wicket, he delivered three in the 23rd over to add to his early strike.

Captain Joshua Dorne (20) chipped a rising delivery to Van Schalkwyk at midwicket, prodigious talent Jewel Andrew (0) edged a drive to ‘keeper Lethabo Phahlamohlaka and Shamar Apple (0) spliced an ill-advised hook to Bulbulia at mid on.

Bulbulia earlier held the catch at mid on to remove opener Tenez Francis’s mistimed drive against Basson and suddenly the West Indies were ‘hanging on’ rather than dominating as they were with Carter in full flow.

Junior Proteas star batsman Rowles shone with his left-arm spin to claim 2-44 from his 10 overs and there were wickets for fast bowler Bayanda Majola (1-57), left-arm seamer Michael Kruiskamp (1-45) and allrounder James (7-0-35-1).

South Africa will still advance to the Super Six stage of the tournament courtesy of their thumping victory against minnows Tanzania but their chances of further advancement are almost nil.

Super Six teams carry forward their points and net run-rate earned against fellow qualifiers and play just two matches in the next round.

South Africa will thus start with zero points while other teams will already have four points.

The junior Proteas are likely to play Australia and Sri Lanka in the Super Six stage.

WEST INDIES: Tanez Francis, Zachary Carter, Jewel Andrew (wkt), Joshua Dorne (captain), Shamar Apple, Jonathan Van Lange, Shaquan Belle, Isra-el Morton, Micah Mckenzie, Jakeem Pollard, Vitel Lawes

SOUTH AFRICA: Jorich van Schalkwyk, Adnaan Lagadien, Muhammad Bulbulia (captain), Jason Rowles, Armaan Manack, Daniel Bosman, Paul James, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (wkt), Michael Kruiskamp, JJ Basson, Bayanda Majola

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