Sri Lanka secured a commanding five-wicket win in opposition to the West Indies within the first One Day Worldwide (ODI) of their three-match sequence, after rain interrupted play on the Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
A stable half-century from captain Charith Asalanka and a formidable debut knock from Nishan Madushka helped the hosts chase down a revised goal of 232 runs in simply 37 overs below the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern methodology.
West Indies, who had been on 185 for 4 after 38.3 overs when heavy rain halted play, had discovered momentum courtesy of a significant 85-run partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase. Nonetheless, the climate interruption curtailed their innings and set Sri Lanka a difficult, albeit manageable, goal.
The West Indies’ prime order had initially faltered, with leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga dismissing Brandon King for 14 and Alick Athanaze for 10, leaving the guests struggling at 41 for 2. Captain Shai Hope’s poor kind persevered, as he fell for simply 5, lbw to Jeffrey Vandersay, decreasing West Indies to 54 for 3.
A revised goal
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Keacy Carty and Rutherford then steadied the innings with a 46-run stand. Carty’s try and speed up ended at 37, caught within the deep after hanging Asalanka for a six. Rutherford, nonetheless, displayed distinctive timing and endurance, hitting 74 off 82 balls, together with 5 boundaries and three sixes. Chase’s run-a-ball 33 offered regular help, however the rains got here earlier than the Windies might launch a full assault on Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
Set a revised goal of 232, Sri Lanka stumbled early as Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis departed cheaply, with the aspect reeling at 22 for 2. Gudakesh Motie’s dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama for 14 additional deepened the difficulty for the hosts at 45 for 3.
Nonetheless, Asalanka and Madushka mixed for an excellent 137-run, fourth-wicket partnership, steering Sri Lanka again into management. Asalanka, scoring 77 off 64 deliveries, and Madushka, making 69 on debut, showcased glorious shot choice and calm below stress. Madushka’s innings ended when he was caught at slip off Motie, however by then, Sri Lanka was firmly in management at 182 for 4.
Though Motie additionally claimed Asalanka’s wicket quickly after, Janith Liyanage (18 not out) and Kamindu Mendis (30) ensured that Sri Lanka reached the goal with 31 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead within the series. The second ODI will probably be performed on the identical venue on Wednesday.
