File photo of USA U-19 coach Anand Tummala courtesy: Peter Della Penna

USA Under-19s went undefeated on a tour of Grenada in their final buildup to the ICC Americas U-19 Regional Championship beginning next week in Canada. 

By DreamCricket Staff
 
The USA Under-19 squad went a perfect 3-0 in completed matches on their tour of Grenada late last month in preparation for their ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier Americas Regional Championship in Canada.
 
Under the guidance of head coach Anand Tummala and led by captain Joshua Kind, the squad defeated Grenada Under-19s by 121 runs and 38 runs in the first two matches of the tour before chasing a target of 152 in just 32.1 overs to win by eight wickets in the final completed match.
 
Opener Vatsal Vaghela paced USA with a top score of 67 off 99 balls in the tour opener on June 24 at the Grenada National Stadium. Vaghela struck seven boundaries in his knock to set the tone in USA Under-19’s total of 280 for 9. Vaghela completed a superb all-round display by taking 2 for 31 in nine overs to help restrict Grenada Under-19s to a total of 159 for 9 in 50 overs.
 
Ali Sheikh was USA’s best bowler on the day claiming 3 for 17 in 10 overs, including two maidens. It followed a solid contribution of 32 off 35 balls by Sheikh with the bat after entering at No. 6 in the first innings. Legspinning prospect Shashank Vittaladevaram was also tidy with the ball for USA, ending with 1 for 20 in 10 overs including two maidens.
 
USA Under-19 kept the momentum going in match two a day later on June 25. Vaghela once again top-scored with 42 off 73 balls at the top of the order as USA grinded to a total of 182 in 45.3 overs. Vaghela, Sheikh and Vittaladevaram then starred with the ball once more taking six of the 10 wickets to fall as Grenada Under-19s were bowled out for 144. Sheikh took 2 for 18 in 8.5 overs with three maidens, Vittaladevaram 2 for 24 in seven overs while Vaghela claimed 2 for 29 in 10 overs.
 
It was the Sanjay Stanley show in the final completed match on tour on June 27. The North Carolina resident took tour best figures of 4 for 15 in 9.2 overs to wipe out Grenada Under-19s for 151. Vittaladevaram and Sheikh provided good support in taking 2 for 27 and 2 for 12 respectively. Stanley then top-scored with 56 off 55 balls in the chase after entering at No. 4, including four sixes, before retiring.
 
USA Under-19s begin their World Cup Qualifying campaign on Monday July 8 against Cayman Islands at 10:30 ET at Maple Leaf CC in King City. USA will also play Argentina, Bermuda and Canada in the single round-robin event with the tournament champion advancing to the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Dreamcricket will have live coverage from the venue at King City all week.