Friday Nov 22, 2024
Friday Nov 22, 2024
Monday, 21 October 2024 02:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Charith Asalanka on the offensive during his knock of 77
Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford put on a big stand of 85* off 78 balls
Brandon King has his stumps disturbed by Wanindu Hasaranga
Sa’adi Thawfeeq reporting from Pallekele
 |
| Nishan Madushka celebrates a half-century on his ODI debut |
 |
Sri Lanka continued their winning vein in the white-ball format when they beat West Indies by five wickets under the DLS method in a rain-truncated first ODI played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium to go one-up in the three-match series yesterday.
West Indies, who won the toss and batted first, had their innings terminated at 38.3 overs after scoring 185-4. After a near 3 1/2 stoppage to rain, Sri Lanka had a revised target of 232 to chase off 37 overs.
A 137-run partnership off 109 balls between debutant Nishan Madushka and skipper Charith Asalanka, who scored fifties apiece, set Sri Lanka on course for a win which they achieved with 31 balls to spare.
It was bad luck for the West Indies that the rain came at the wrong time for them when they were just about to get on top of the Lankan spinners. When Sri Lanka began their run chase, West Indies were handicapped by a wet ball due to the soggy outfield.
Nevertheless, it was a dominant batting performance by Sri Lanka that enabled them to sail through to victory. Their spinners, especially Wanindu Hasaranaga, was penetrative, and was their standout bowler with 2/18 off six.
West Indies found themselves in a spot of bother at 100-4 but Sherfaine Rutherford and Roston Chase put on a splendid batting display with a partnership of 85* off 78 balls to provide their side the momentum. Rutherford was the mainstay and he was involved in two handy partnerships, first with Keacy Carty (37), adding 46 for the fourth wicket, and with Chase, who made a run-a-ball 33* (4 fours).
Rutherford looked dangerous before rain played spoilsport, scoring an undefeated 74 off 82 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes). The rain ensured that West Indies could not play out their allotted quota of overs which, had they done so, would have got them to a sizeable total.
In Sri Lanka’s run chase, Alzarri Joseph picked up a couple of early wickets and soon after, Gudakesh Motie came on the scene to weave his magic. He knocked over Sadeera Samarawickrama with a peach of a delivery. But, Madushka and Asalanka got together and batted brilliantly. Both capitalised on the loose deliveries and were also aided by the wet outfield.
Madushka made his ODI debut memorable with a splendid 69 off 54 balls (7 fours, 1 six) and Player of the Match Asalanka showed his class with a fine 77 off 71 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) to take the game away from the West Indies. Both departed in quick succession to Motie but the damage had been done by then. Madushka was drafted into the side because regular opener Pathum Nissanka was ruled out with a quad strain and he seized the opportunity with both hands.
Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis finished the game off for Sri Lanka with an unbroken partnership of 47 off 34 balls, with Kamindu, in a show of strength, pulling a short ball from Jayden Seales behind square leg for six.
The second ODI will take place at the same venue on Wednesday.
