BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

THE WEST Indies surged into the final of the CLICO International Under-15 Championship with a convincing eight-wicket win over Americas Development XI yesterday.

Playing in one semi-final at Warner Park, the West Indies restricted the Americas to 166 from their 50 overs and then cantered to their target for the loss of just two wickets.

Impressive half centuries from Ramon Senior and Kraig Brathwaite, along with a six-wicket haul from legspinner John Campbell, helped the West Indies to their emphatic victory.

Chasing a relatively small target, the West Indies got off to a relatively slow start with Brathwaite and Campbell (six) being extremely careful in the early overs.

In fact, the Americas might have thought they were in with a chance when Campbell was smartly caught at extra cover as he tried to loosen the shackles in the 10th over.

The idea was quickly put to rest, however, as Senior (68) began dispatching the ball to all parts of the field. He raced to his half century in just 43 deliveries with 10 boundaries. He added two more before he was dismissed with an additional 23 runs needed.

Not flustered

Brathwaite meanwhile, never looked flustered as he followed up his century against Malaysia with a polished unbeaten 65. He struck seven boundaries in his stay at the crease as he steered the Windies to victory.

Earlier, Americas, winning the toss and opting to bat, were bamboozled by Man-of-the-Match Campbell who grabbed six for 43.

Introduced into the attack in the 33rd over after openers Abhijit Joshi and captain Nitish Kumar had laid a solid foundation with an opening partnership of 108, Campbell wreaked havoc in the innings.

Joshi made a well-played 51 in an innings which contained six boundaries. He was extremely severe on West Indies fast bowlers Omar Samuels and Kyle Mayers, who were frequently too short on a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers.

Kumar, who began shakily, found his timing and was able to play more comfortably and the spinners were quickly brought on to attempt to stem the flow of runs.

He struck four fours in his knock of 39 and appeared set to raise the tempo when he was deceived by a well-flighted delivery from Kaveem Hodge and was caught at cover by Campbell.

Without any addition to the total, Campbell struck with the second ball of his fourth over when he had Steven Taylor (0) caught at midwicket to trigger the Americas XI batting collapse.