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Australia have lost to the West Indies by three wickets in their opening match at the under-19 Cricket World Cup despite 84 runs from Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Jake Fraser-McGurk's half-century wasn't enough as Australia suffered a three-wicket loss to the West Indies in their opening match at the under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

Fraser-McGurk, who made his Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria in November, compiled 84 but was part of a late collapse that left Australia dismissed for 179 in the 36th over at Diamond Oval in Kimberley.

The West Indies responded with 7-180 with four overs to spare, boosted in a tense finish by Nyeem Young's 61 of 69 balls as they recovered from 5-92 to claim the group B opener.

Australia lost their last six wickets for 21 runs, undone primarily by pace trio Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales, who finished with seven wickets between them.

Captain Mackenzie Harvey said the capitulation effectively decided the contest.

"I didn't feel like we were doing a lot wrong with the bat. I thought we were a bit unlucky here and there with a couple of dismissals," he said.

"But we just didn't have anyone that could hang around with Jakey. That's where we lost it a little bit."

Harvey was pleased the Carribbean side were given little respite by his attack, whose tight bowling turned the run chase into a tense one.

Legspinner Tanveer Sangha impressed most, taking 4-30 from his full complement of overs.

"We were able to pin it back pretty well but there were just a couple of overs where we didn't quite hit our spots and they were able to get away."

Australia next face in Nigeria in Kimberely on Monday.