Jamaica's André Creary - File

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CMC):

The West Indies announced themselves as one of the favourites in the ICC Under-19 World Cup starting next week, when they beat Australia by five wickets in a warm-up match here Thursday.

Captain Shamarh Brooks grabbed five for 25 to send the Australians crashing for 159 all out off 48.2 overs after they won the toss and batted. Kieran Powell then stroked a half-century to lift the regional side to 160 for five off 35.4 overs.

When the West Indies middle order wobbled and threatened to collapse, André Creary crafted a responsible, unbeaten 45 to steer his side home.

It was the West Indies' second win of the warm-up series after they beat Sri Lanka by four wickets on Monday.

Powell, who hit 51 from 48 balls with six fours, shared a 37-run stand with Kyle Corbin to give the Young Windies a solid start to their run chase. Adrian Barath added 20 for the second wicket before he fell for 10 in the 11th over, to leave the Windies on 57 for two. The regional side then lost three wickets for 51 runs to slip to 108 for five in the 25th over, as Brooks (3), Powell and Steven Jacobs (10) were dismissed.

The right-handed Creary then steadied the innings, combining with Darren Bravo in an unbroken, 52-run, fifth-wicket stand that saw the West Indies to their target. Creary faced 73 balls and stroked six fours and one six, while Bravo finished on 23, striking two sixes and a four from 28 balls.

Fast bowler Jeremy Smith finished with two for 30 to be the best bowler.

The tournament bowls off tomorrow. West Indies have been grouped with India, South Africa and Papua New Guinea.