The West Indies closed their tour of Sri Lanka with a powerful eight-wicket victory within the ultimate One-Day Worldwide (ODI), led by a stellar century from Evin Lewis and a 3rd consecutive half-century by Sherfane Rutherford.
Following a five-hour rain delay at Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka set a revised goal of 195 in 23 overs after ending on 156 for 3. The West Indies responded with authority, reaching 196 for 2 with six balls to spare, snapping an 11-match dropping streak in Sri Lanka.
In a triumphant return to ODI motion, Participant-of-the-Match Lewis, enjoying his first one-dayer since 2021, was instrumental in stabilizing the innings after an early wicket. After Brandon King fell for 16 within the sixth over, Lewis and captain Shai Hope constructed a important 72-run partnership that saved the West Indies on observe. Hope contributed a gradual 22 earlier than being dismissed, leaving the Windies at 108 for 2. With the required charge climbing, Rutherford joined Lewis, and the pair unleashed a robust end.
Sri Lanka’s hopes flickere
Sri Lanka’s hopes flickered because the West Indies nonetheless required 70 runs from the final six overs, however Lewis pounced on captain Charith Asalanka, slamming three boundaries in a single over to slender the hole. Rutherford, dropped on 10 by Kamindu Mendis, capitalized on his reprieve, launching spinner Maheesh Theekshana for 2 sixes and a 4 to push the Windies nearer to their goal.
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With simply 38 wanted from the ultimate 24 balls, Lewis and Rutherford put the sport out of Sri Lanka’s attain, wrapping it up in fashion. Lewis hit Fernando for a large six to succeed in his unbeaten 102, whereas Rutherford completed on 50 not out, his fourth half-century in simply six ODIs.
Earlier within the day, Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put their workforce in a powerful place, aided by 5 dropped catches from the Windies. Nissanka’s stable 56 and Mendis’s brisk unbeaten 56 from simply 22 balls highlighted Sri Lanka’s innings earlier than rain reduce their time brief, in the end establishing a dramatic West Indies chase.
The win, although not enough to claim the series, offered a confidence increase to the West Indies as they ended a difficult tour on a optimistic notice.
