Match Overview
Sri Lanka won the ODI series opener against West Indies by 41 runs at Sabina Park on Wednesday. West Indies chose to bowl first and started strong when Jayden Seales took out Kamindu Mendis for 12 in the seventh over. However, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka built a solid partnership, setting a strong base.
The Player of the Match, Mendis, and Nissanka added 136 runs for the second wicket, keeping the West Indies bowlers under pressure. Nissanka scored 79 runs off 103 balls, with nine fours and a six, playing at a strike rate of 76.69. Mendis was more aggressive, scoring 72 runs from just 62 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, with a strike rate of 116.12. The partnership ended when Matthew Forde dismissed Mendis in the 28th over. Roston Chase then quickly took two wickets, leaving Sri Lanka at 221/4 after 40.3 overs.
Charith Asalanka (45 off 44 balls) and Janith Liyanage contributed with a 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping Sri Lanka reach 303/7 in 50 overs. Liyanage ended unbeaten with 44 runs off 29 balls, including five fours and a six. Jayden Seales (2/67), Forde (2/44), and Chase (2/47) each took two wickets.
In response, several West Indies batters started well, but none reached a significant score. Captain Shai Hope was the top scorer with 56 runs off 66 balls. Openers John Campbell and Justin Greaves added 50 runs to begin with before Liyanage’s run-out of Campbell shifted the momentum.
Maheesh Theekshana took advantage of the pitch, finishing with 2/26, dismissing Greaves and Gudakesh Motie. Dushmantha Chameera was standout among the Sri Lankan bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 67 runs, including the crucial wicket of Hope.
West Indies were bowled out for 262 in 49.2 overs, resulting in an early lead for Sri Lanka in the series.
Top Run-Scorer of the Match
|
Player |
Team |
Runs |
Balls |
Fours |
Sixes |
Strike Rate |
| Pathum Nissanka |
SL |
79 |
103 |
9 |
1 |
76.69 |
Top Wicket-Taker of the Match
|
Player |
Team |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
| Dushmantha Chameera |
SL |
10 |
0 |
67 |
4 |
6.70 |
Player of the Match
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis, recently appointed as Sri Lanka’s ODI captain, performed confidently and effectively, countering the strategies of the West Indies.
Turning Point
West Indies lost too many wickets in the middle overs, a phase where Sri Lanka had excelled during their innings. The dismissals of Keacy Carty and Shai Hope were critical, allowing Sri Lanka to take control of the match.