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- WI vs SL highlights, 1st ODI: Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 41 runs at Kingston
WI vs SL highlights, 1st ODI: Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 41 runs at Kingston
After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 303/7, built around a crucial 136-run second-wicket partnership between Nissanka and Mendis. Charith Asalanka chipped in with 45, while Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten on 44 to provide the finishing touches.
In reply, West Indies captain Shai Hope led the chase with a 66-ball 56 and opener Justin Greaves struck 45 off 38 deliveries. However, despite a couple of promising partnerships, the hosts were bowled out for 262 in the final over.
The chase began steadily, with West Indies adding 50 runs for the opening wicket and another 52 for the third. But regular wickets disrupted their momentum and the required rate continued to rise. Roston Chase offered some resistance with 33, but his dismissal — bowled by Dushmantha Chameera — effectively ended the contest. Chameera finished as Sri Lanka's standout bowler with figures of 4/67.
Having won the toss on a surface expected to assist slower bowlers, West Indies opted to field first and made an early breakthrough when Kamindu Mendis departed for 12 in the seventh over.
Nissanka and Kusal Mendis then seized control of the innings, combining for 136 runs to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position. Mendis scored a brisk 72 from 62 balls before falling with the score at 158/2, while Nissanka continued to anchor the innings before being dismissed for 79 off 102 deliveries.
West Indies needed breakthroughs during the middle overs, but Asalanka and Liyanage frustrated the bowlers with a valuable 64-run stand for the fifth wicket, helping Sri Lanka cross the 300-run mark.
Hope's dismissal at 167/5 in the 31st over left West Indies with an uphill task, and the lower order failed to mount a serious challenge thereafter.
There was a brief interruption late in the match when a floodlight malfunction forced the players off the field because of bad light. By then, however, the result was virtually settled, with West Indies requiring 43 runs from just eight balls with one wicket in hand.
The second ODI of the three-match series will be played in Kingston on Saturday, with the final match scheduled for Monday at Sabina Park.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Too full, on leg, Kusal Mendis uses his feet and flicks it to short fine leg for a single.
- Kusal Mendis 31 (35)
- Pathum Nissanka 41 (59)
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Slightly shorter, outside off, Kusal Mendis steers it through backward point for one more.
Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Nice and full, on off, Pathum Nissanka drives it to wide of mid off for a quick single.
Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to the point fielder.
Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Hard length, on off, shaping in. Pathum Nissanka eases it to the fielder at point.
Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Much fuller, on leg, Pathum Nissanka covers his line and blocks it to mid on.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Angling in, on middle, Kusal Mendis guides it to short third for a single.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Fuller, down the leg side, Kusal Mendis misses his flick and the umpire calls it a wide.
- Pathum Nissanka 40 (55)
- Kusal Mendis 29 (33)
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Short, on middle, turning away. Pathum Nissanka blocks it to short cover.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Fired in, on off, Pathum Nissanka defends it off his front foot.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis drives it to long off for a single.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Turn and bounce, outside off, Kusal Mendis looks to slap it but misses.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, SIX! Just over long off! Flighted up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis moves forward and looks to loft it. Doesn't quite connect it but manages it get it just over long off for a biggie. The fielder near the fence dives to take the catch but fails to reach at it.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Slower one, short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka slaps it to point for a single.
- Kusal Mendis 22 (30)
- Pathum Nissanka 39 (52)
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Bangs it short, on leg, Kusal Mendis ducks underneath it. A dot to end the over.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, on leg, Pathum Nissanka pulls it through backward square leg for a run.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, An off cutter, at 121.8 kmph. Kusal Mendis cuts it through backward point for a single.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Angling in, on a length, on leg. Kusal Mendis hops a bit and flicks it to the fielder at square leg.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Much fuller, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka helps it to fine leg for a single.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it over mid-wicket for a brace.
- Kusal Mendis 21 (27)
- Pathum Nissanka 35 (49)
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, SIX! That goes all the way! Flatter, on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis takes a step forward and launches it high over long on for a biggie. That will bring up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Slightly shorter again, outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts it through backward point for a brace.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Drags his length back, outside off, Pathum Nissanka slaps it through point for one more.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Too full, on off, Kusal Mendis moves forward and knocks it down to long off for another run.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Darts it on leg, Pathum Nissanka gets low and sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Fired in, on off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to short cover for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
- Pathum Nissanka 33 (47)
- Kusal Mendis 11 (23)
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Bangs this into the pitch, outside of, Pathum Nissanka cuts it away towards point.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Put away! Alzarri Joseph strays in line again and serves this full, down the leg side. Pathum Nissanka manages to get bat on ball and glances it to the fine leg fence for a boundary.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length and on off, takes off a bit. Pathum Nissanka hops up to steer it away but gets a bottom edge onto his pads as the ball rolls on the pitch. It could have easily gone back onto stumps.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! A low full toss but once again way down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka misses his flick. Another wide.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Pulls his length back a bit, on off, Kusal Mendis guides it towards deep third for a run.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Tries the leg-stump yorker, but spills it way down the leg side, Kusal Mendis swipes at it but makes no contact. Wided.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Sloppy! Fuller delivery and around off, Pathum Nissanka drives it towards wide mid off, where the fielder fumbles a bit and allows a single.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Lands this on a good length and on off, Pathum Nissanka taps it in front of short cover.
DRINKS BREAK! West Indies had a very good start to the inning. Pathum Nissanka was dropped on the very first ball, but Jayden Seales managed to take the wicket of Kamindu Mendis. However, Nissanka is looking settled now, and the partnership between him and Kusal Mendis has forged to 31 now. The Lankans would want this partnership to last long, on the other hand, the Windies would desperately want their second wicket here.
- Kusal Mendis 10 (22)
- Pathum Nissanka 28 (42)
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Gudakesh Motie sees the batter advance and darts in a full delivery, on middle. Kusal Mendis ends up yorking himself and just digs it out on the pitch. Just 2 runs from the first over of spin!
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Flighted, full and on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis drills it towards mid on.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Fires in a yorker, on middle, Kusal Mendis jams it out to mid on again.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Flatter, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis knocks it towards mid on.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on off, holds up in the surface a bit, Pathum Nissanka pushes it a bit uppishly but wide of short cover and down to long off for a run.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Floated, short and outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out and stabs it past short cover for a single.
Change. Gudakesh Motie joins the attack now. Let's see how the track behaves for the spinners.
- Kusal Mendis 9 (17)
- Pathum Nissanka 27 (41)
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Hard length and on off, Kusal Mendis plays it late and runs it down to deep third for one.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Pathum Nissanka looks to push it away but gets an inside edge through square leg for a run. 50 up for Sri Lanka!
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length and just outside off, enough room for the batter to free his arms. Pathum Nissanka gets on top and crunches the cut shot past point for a boundary.
Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Much fuller and on off, Pathum Nissanka gets his front foot across and drives it towards mid off.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length and outside off, Kusal Mendis steers it through backward point for a single.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, On a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis fends it back to the bowler.
- Pathum Nissanka 22 (38)
- Kusal Mendis 7 (14)
Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Good-length delivery, on off, nips back in, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the off side.
Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Swing and a miss! Very full and on off, skids through a bit. Pathum Nissanka stays back and has a wild swing across the line but only connects with thin air.
Match Statistics
Venue
Sabina Park, Kingston
