TOWNSVILLE, Australia, (CMC)-West Indies Under 19s recovered quickly from an early slump against Zimbabwe to register their third straight win in the ICC Youth World Cup in Australia yesterday. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite scored a composed and responsible half century to lead a recovery and steer the young Caribbean side to a comfortable six wicket victory at Endeavour Park in Townsville
Chasing 149 to win, Braithwaite batted to the end to be unbeaten on 70 as West Indies finished on 150 for the loss of four wickets in the 36th of the 50 overs allotted.
West Indies made a disastrous start losing Sunil Ambris and John Campbell in the second over to spinner Kieran Gayle without scoring after Zimbabwe mustered a paltry 148 for eight from their 50 overs.
Ambris was caught at deep square leg by Ryan Burl while Campbell edged his first ball to Luke Masasire at Gully as West Indies slumped to six for two.
Brathwaite added 44 runs in a stabilizing third wicket partnership with Anthony Alleyne as windies regained control of the match.
Alleyne scored 24 before edging Wellington Masakadza’s delivery to slip and Kyle Mayers who went after the bowling towards the end was unbeaten on 30.
Brathwaite hit nine fours in his 114-ball occupation of the crease which always looked safe except for when he was dropped by Andre Odendaal on 61.
Earlier, the West Indies made a bright start as their bowlers restricted the Zimbabwe batsmen.
The leading wicket takers were Jerome Jones, Justin Greaves, and Kyle Mayers who all snared two scalps each.
However, Hosein finished with impressive figures of two wickets for 16 runs and three maiden from his 10 overs.
Hosein also captured the prized wicket of Malcolm Lake who hit a terrific 118 against India in his last match.
Lake’s innings against Wes Indies ended on 31 runs after 45-balls when he offered Hosein a simple caught and bowled chance.

ZIMBABWE U19s
K Kasuza  b Mayers 18
L Masasire c wkp Ambris b Beaton 2
*M Bentley c wkp Ambris b Jones 0
R Burl c wkp Ambris b Greaves 13
M Lake c & b Hosein 31
C Light c Jones b Greaves 10
+N Mayavo c wkp Ambris b Jones 30
K Geyle c Greaves b Hosein 0
P Zimwa not out 19
A Odendaal not out 1
Extras (lb6, w18) 24
TOTAL (8 wkts, 50 overs) 148
Did not bat: W Masakadza
Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Masasire), 2-16 (Bentley), 3-44 (Kasuza), 4-57 (Burl), 5-74 (Light), 6-107 (Lake), 7-114 (Geyle), 8-136 (Mayavo)
Bowling: Beaton 9-4-9-1 (w20, Jones 10-0-40-2 (w6), Greaves 6-0-28-2 (w1), Mayers 5-1-15-1 (w4), Hosein 10-3-16-2, Davis 10-2-34-0 (w1),

WEST INDIES U19s
*KC Brathwaite not out 70
+S Ambris c Burl b Geyle 0
J Campbell c Masasire b Geyle 0
A Alleyne c Bentley b Masakadza 24
K Hodge c wkp Mayavo b Zimwa 19
K Mayers not out 30
Extras (b2, lb1, w4) 7
TOTAL (4 wkts, 35.1 overs) 150
Did not bat: J Jones, R Beaton, D Davis, A Hosein, J Greaves.
Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Ambris), 2-6 (Campbell), 3-50 (Alleyne), 4-91 (Hodge)
Bowling: Odendaal 6-0-29-0 (w1), Geyle 5-0-28-2 (w2), Masakadza 8-1-31-1 (w1), Zimwa 8-0-38-1, Bentley 7-2-14-0, Light 1.1-0-7-0.
Points: West Indies Under-19s 2, Zimbabwe Under-19s 0.