DUBAI, UAE (CMC):

Nicolas Pooran blasted a century for West Indies Under-19, but it was not enough to avoid a five-wicket defeat from Australia in the quarter-finals of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup yesterday.

West Indies Under-19s were bowled out for 208, after being 70 for eight at one stage. Australia reached 209 for five and advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament.

West Indies won the toss and decided to bat but lost five batsmen for only 52 runs on the board. They lost three more wickets for only 18 runs until Pooran decided to take charge and stem the haemorrhage.

Man-of-the-Match Pooran shared a ninth-wicket stand of 136 with Jerome Jones to revive West Indies. Jones played sensibly and ensured Pooran got as much strike as possible in their fightback.

fortunes ended

West Indies were 206 runs when Jones ran out for 20 and two runs later Pooran's good fortunes ended after he shuffled across to play at a delivery from Guy Walker, which knocked his middle stump.

Pooran made 143 from 160 balls, which included 14 fours and six sixes.

Walker was the best Australian bowler, also removing the destructive Tagenarine Chanderpaul (4) and Jonathan Drakes (0), finishing with three for 44. Ben Ashkenazi and Thomas Andrews took two wickets apiece.

Pooran, reflecting on his innings, said: "Definitely this is one of the best innings I have played to date, but I am disappointed that we did not win. When you make runs, you want to see your side win rather than lose."

Australia will join South Africa, England and Pakistan in the semi-finals while West Indies will play Afghanistan in one of the play-off matches on Tuesday.