Apple, Francis blast centuries to lead WI Under-19s to warm-up win over Japan

January 14, 2026

Photo

West Indies U19 batsman Shamar Apple (right) celebrates a century against Japan, while Tanez Francis, who also scored a century, looks on during an ICC U19 Cricket World Cup warm-up game at the United Cricket Ground in Windhoek, Namibia, yesterday.

WINDHOEK, Namibia (CMC):

Shamar Apple and Tanez Francis scored contrasting centuries as West Indies Under-19s readied themselves for the ICC Cricket World Cup with a devastating 229-run win over minnows Japan in their final warm-up match yesterday.

After being sent in at the United Cricket Club Ground, the West Indies piled up a massive 346 for six in their 50 overs, with opener Francis hitting an unbeaten 122 off 148 balls, while Apple was in a destructive mood, smashing 124 off just 65 balls, inclusive of 10 fours and eight sixes.

R'Jai Gittens and Vitel Lawes then shared seven wickets between them as Japan never threatened their target, being dismissed for 117 in 42.3 overs.

The day, however, belonged to Apple and Francis, with the pair sharing a 194-run partnership for the fifth wicket that totally transformed the match.

They came together with the Windies precariously poised at 125 for four in the 27th over, with Jewel Andrew (31), Joshua Dorne (24) and Zachary Carter (15), all getting starts but failing to push on.

They then put Japan's bowlers to the sword for the next 21 overs, while scoring at over nine runs an over.

After taking 31 balls to reach his half century, Apple brought up his 100 in 55 balls by smashing Hugo Kelly to the boundary ropes.

Francis, however, was a bit more patient, requiring 140 balls before reaching three figures.

Kai Wall was Japan's best bowler, finishing with 2-36.

Faced with a mammoth run chase, Japan found themselves on the backfoot from early on with Gittens accounting for the wickets of Nikhil Pol, Hugo Kelly and Kaisei Kobayashi to reduce them to 30 for four.

Taylor Waugh provided some resistance during his pedestrian knock of 32 off 100 balls, while Chihaya Sekine contributed 28 from 36 balls, but it was never going to be enough.

Lawes then ran through the lower order to secure a predictable victory for the Windies.

Gittens ended with figures of 4-8 and Lawes took 3-28.

The West Indies will play Tanzania in their opening match of the World Cup tomorrow.