Allen tons up in U-19 opener

Finn Allen has blazed a century to lead New Zealand to a big win over the West Indies on the opening day of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

He finished not out on 115 off 100 balls, playing the decisive innings as the young Kiwis chased down a target of 244 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, winning by eight wickets with more than 10 overs to spare.

The Aucklander has already played one game of senior cricket – a Twenty20 last season – and his stocks will only have risen after Saturday’s performance.

He had good support from opener Jakob Bhula, who made 83 off 105 balls before being dismissed with the target in sight.

Allen and Bhula put on 163 for the second wicket, after Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for 16 at the end of the 10th over.

The West Indies were sent in and would have been disappointed to only make 233-8, after being 145-1 with a tick over 18 overs to go.

Openers Keagan Simmons and Kimani Melius scored the bulk of their runs, making 92 and 78 respectively, but Alick Athanaze was the only other batsman to reach double figures. Simmons carried his bat and faced 132 balls, scoring at a strike rate of less than 70, and his slow progress may have cost his team.

But the way Allen and Bhula were batting, they would have needed a few more.

Left-arm spinners Ravindra , 3-30, and Felix Murray, 2-37, were backed by seamer Matthew Fisher, 3-61.