ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A scintillating century from Ahan Wickramasinghe and an aesthetic knock from opener Nipun Dhananjaya propelled Sri Lanka Rising Gamers to a powerful five-wicket victory over West Indies Academy within the first 50-over contest on Saturday on the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Chasing a aggressive goal of 238, the guests recovered from early turbulence to publish 238 for 5 in simply 39.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead within the three-match sequence.
Wickramasinghe, who struck a fluent 103 off 79 balls, and Dhananjaya, who compiled a affected person 88 off 125 deliveries, anchored the innings with a decisive 155-run fourth-wicket partnership that turned the tide firmly in Sri Lanka’s favor.
WI Academy strike early earlier than dropping the plot
After being requested to bat first, WI Academy posted 237 all out in 46.2 overs, buoyed by half-centuries from Ackeem Auguste (66), Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (55), and Rivaldo Clarke (51). Regardless of a promising 88-run partnership between Auguste and Bowen-Tuckett, the hosts faltered late, dropping their last 4 wickets for simply 17 runs.
Sri Lanka’s bowling assault, led by Traveen Matthew (3-40) and Garuka Sanketh (3-45), ensured the entire remained inside attain, constantly making use of strain and exploiting lapses within the decrease order.
Wickramasinghe and Dhananjaya steal the present
In reply, the Sri Lankans stumbled early. Nathan Edward struck twice within the powerplay, eradicating Shevon Daniel and Sohan de Livera, earlier than McKenny Clarke dismissed Sahan Kasala for 19. At 71 for 3 within the 14th over, the chase hung within the steadiness.
Then got here the counterattack.
Wickramasinghe and Dhananjaya mixed warning with aggression, rotating the strike with precision and dispatching free deliveries with authority. Their scoring fee soared above six runs per over, putting relentless strain on the hosts.
When Micha McKenzie lastly broke the stand by dismissing Dhananjaya—who struck seven fours and two sixes—Sri Lanka required simply 12 runs to win.
A flourish, then a fumble on the end
Wickramasinghe, unfazed, introduced up his century in type, hammering Joshua Bishop for back-to-back boundaries. However with solely two runs wanted, he was needlessly run out by Edward, denying him the possibility to complete the job himself.
Nonetheless, the injury had been accomplished.
Wickramasinghe’s innings, laced with 10 fours and two sixes, was a mix of aptitude and finesse—an emphatic assertion of intent within the opening match.
Edward completed as the perfect bowler for WI Academy, ending with 2-44 in a spirited however in the end futile effort.
Saturday’s win offers Sri Lanka Rising Gamers an early edge within the three-match 50-over sequence, with each groups anticipated to return to motion with renewed focus. For West Indies Academy, questions stay about middle-order consistency and bowling self-discipline below strain.
For Sri Lanka, the message was clear: the youth are usually not simply rising—they’re arriving.
