DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka – The West Indies began their T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding five-wicket victory in the first match of the series at Dambulla. Led by a stellar partnership between Brandon King and Evin Lewis, the Caribbean side successfully chased down a target of 180 runs, finishing their innings at 180 for 5 in just 19.1 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Performance
Put into bat first, Sri Lanka had a cautious start. The opening duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis struggled to find their rhythm, managing only 11 runs in the first two overs. However, Nissanka shifted gears in the third over, hitting back-to-back boundaries off West Indies pacer Romario Shepherd, only to get caught behind on the next delivery, sending shockwaves through the Sri Lankan camp.
Kusal Perera managed to hit a boundary but fell victim to a delivery from Shamar Joseph, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 11 for 2. Enter Kamindu Mendis, who quickly found his footing, scoring a boundary to announce his arrival. Kusal Mendis contributed with a four and a six off Alzarri Joseph, while Kamindu accelerated the innings, helping Sri Lanka reach 54 for 2 at the end of the PowerPlay.
Despite a quiet over from West Indies spinner Roston Chase, the Sri Lankan batting line-up continued to build momentum. Kusal Mendis’s innings came to a sudden end when he missed a cut shot and was bowled by Gudakesh Motie, leaving the hosts in a precarious position.
Building Momentum with Partnerships
Charith Asalanka joined Kamindu Mendis at the crease, and the duo quickly took the fight to the West Indies bowlers. Asalanka’s aggressive approach paid dividends as he struck three boundaries in a single over, turning the tide for Sri Lanka. Kamindu Mendis reached his second T20I half-century, showcasing his remarkable form with a mix of deft touches and aggressive strokes.
However, the excitement was short-lived for Kamindu as he was caught in the deep, departing after a commendable innings. Asalanka soon followed suit, reaching his own fifty but falling prey to a catch at deep midwicket.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa provided a quick-fire contribution with a cameo of 17 runs off 10 balls, steering Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 179 for 7 in their allotted overs. The partnership between Kamindu and Asalanka was crucial in setting up a challenging target for the West Indies, who had to navigate a potent Sri Lankan bowling attack.
West Indies’ Explosive Chase
In response, the West Indies opened their innings with aggression, with Evin Lewis and Brandon King quickly establishing their dominance. Lewis launched the chase with a massive six and a four off Sri Lankan pacer Chamindu Wickramasinghe, while King looked equally destructive, notching three boundaries off Asitha Fernando.
The West Indies duo’s partnership blossomed as they raised their 50-run stand in just 4.4 overs. The explosive start continued, with the team racing to 74 for no loss at the end of the PowerPlay, a significant advantage in the run chase. King reached his half-century with a six and a four off Matheesha Pathirana, while Lewis caught up with him in the subsequent over, hitting two massive sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga.
However, Lewis eventually succumbed to a catch at backward point, putting Sri Lanka in a position to regroup. Despite the loss of quick wickets, including Shai Hope and King, the West Indies remained confident.
Navigating Through Challenges
With the scoring rate slowing, new batters Roston Chase and Rovman Powell stepped in to stabilize the innings. However, both players struggled to find their footing as the pressure began to mount. A pivotal 16th over saw West Indies manage to score two boundaries, keeping the momentum alive.
As the match approached its climax, Powell’s struggle came to an end when he was caught in the deep, while Chase’s innings concluded with a nick behind to Pathirana. With 13 runs required off 12 balls, the West Indies showcased their running ability, pushing for crucial twos to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Finally, Sherfane Rutherford emerged as the hero, sealing the match with a boundary and ensuring victory for the West Indies with four balls to spare.
Match Summary
In summary, the West Indies’ victory was built on a strong performance by their openers and solid partnerships throughout the innings. The team’s resilience in the face of quick wickets and their ability to chase down a competitive total underscores their capabilities in T20 cricket.
Brief Scores:
- Sri Lanka: 179/7 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 59, Kamindu Mendis 51; Romario Shepherd 2-39, Gudakesh Motie 1-16)
- West Indies: 180/5 in 19.1 overs (Brandon King 63, Evin Lewis 50; Matheesha Pathirana 2-27, Kamindu Mendis 1-14)
This victory marks a promising start for the West Indies in the T20I series, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting contest against Sri Lanka. The contributions from King and Lewis highlight the depth of talent within the West Indies batting lineup, providing a strong foundation for the matches to come.
