West Indies draw first blood in first T20 as SL fails

West Indies’ Oshane Thomas (C) walks from the field after his team’s win by 25 runs in the first Twenty20 international cricket match of a two-match series between Sri Lanka and West Indies at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on March 4, 2020 – AFP

By Shamseer Jaleel in Pallekele

Defending World T20 Champions West Indies stamped their class when they beat Sri Lanka by 25 runs in the first T20 encounter, played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium last night.

West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first on a green top, where openers Simmons and King batted beautifully, not taking much of a risk in their approach of batting early in the game. They put on 74 runs for the first wicket. King lost his wicket when he was caught at long on by Wanindu Hasaranga off Sandakan for 33. They put on the first wicket partnership off only 50 balls at a brisk rate, which was an ideal foundation for the other batsmen to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers at will. Simmons gave a half chance at 27 to Malinga off Udana, as the Sri Lankan skipper was late to take off for the catch. Simmons went on to make his half century off 31 balls with the help of 7 boundaries and 2 huge six’s. 

With King’s departure, Simmons was joined by Pooran. At half stage, they made 90 runs off 10 overs. Pooran did not last long, as he was caught in the deep off Hasaranga when the score was on 106. Andre Russell, who joined Simmons, batted handsomely hitting all over the park. He was ruthless against the spinners and scored 35 only off 14 balls with the help of 2 boundaries and 4 huge sixes. Skipper Malinga yoked him with a beauty, as his experience in T20 was too much for Andre Russell. 

Skipper Pollard, playing in his 500th T20 match, joined Simmons at 145 runs on the board in the 15th over. Both Simmons and Pollard put on some useful runs before Pollard was caught in the deep during the 20th over for 34 runs. Fabian Allen joined Simmons and took the score to 196 in their 20 overs. Simmons scored an elegant knock of an unbeaten 67 off 51 balls, with the help of 7 boundaries and 2 huge sixes.

Sri Lanka, taking lease of the wicket, never looked comfortable in their short stay at the centre. They lost regular wickets and none of the batsmen got on top of the bowlers. They lost Avishka Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis quickly and cheaply. Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera settled things with a 24 runs partnership, but it was too short-lived as Mathews lost his wicket hitting to the deep for 10. Dasun Shanaka too did not last long as he was clean bowled by Thomas to give his 5th wicket in the game. Wanindu Hasaranga joined Kusal Perera for the 6th wicket at 56 runs and took Sri Lanka to 95 runs at half way stage. 

Once again, Wanindu Hasaranga played a little cameo knock while supporting his senior partner, Kusal Perera. Hasaranga was trapped LBW by Powell for 44. Both put on 87 runs for the 6th wicket. From this stage onwards, Sri Lanka fell back on the rate. Thisara Perera joined in, but it was not long for Kusal Perera, who got out for a well-made 66 off 38 balls with the help of 6 boundaries and three sixes. 

In the end, Sri Lanka ran out of steam, losing Thisara Perera for 11, losing out by runs in the end as they were bowled out for 171. West Indies pacie Oshane Thomas bowled beautifully, taking the first 5 wickets and breaking the backbone of the Sri Lankan batting line-up.

Both teams will play the 2nd and last T20 in the series on 6 March at the same venue.

 West Indies 196 for 4 in 20 overs

Lendl Simmons 67 not out, Andre Russell 35, Brandon King 33, Kieron Pollard 34

Wanindu Hasaranga 1 for 33, Lasith Malinga 1 for 37, Lakshan Sandakan 1 for 38, Isuru Udana 1 for 41

Sri Lanka 171 in 19.1 overs

Kusal Perera66, Wanindu Hasaranga 44,

Oshane Thomas 5 for 28, R Powell 2 for 31, Andre Russell 1 for 33, D Bravo 1 for 30

Man of the Match Oshane Thomas

Umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Ruchira Palliyaguruge

Match Referee Javagal Srinath (India)