21 October 2024 11:28 am Views - 32
Charith Asalanka and Nishan Madushka put up a solid stand
By M. Shamil Amit reporting from Pallekele
The pair made Sri Lanka's revised target of 232 runs in 37 overs, due to rain halting the Windies' innings at 185 for 5, look easy, helping Sri Lanka chase it down in the 32nd over.
Joining forces at 45 for 3 in the seventh over, Asalanka and Madushka had little difficulty accumulating runs, bringing up their first 50-run partnership in 45 balls, with Sri Lanka's 100 coming in 85 balls soon after.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie broke the partnership by dismissing Madushka for a quickfire 69 off 54 balls, which included 12 boundaries and a six. In his next over, Motie struck again, removing skipper Asalanka for 77 off 71 balls, which featured eight boundaries and three sixes.
Despite Motie's double success, Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage ensured Sri Lanka's victory by sharing an unbroken 47-run partnership in just 34 balls, securing the win and giving Sri Lanka a 1-0 series lead.
West Indies skipper Shai Hope won the toss and chose to bat first, but the visitors struggled to deal with Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling attack. Openers Alick Athanaze and Brandon King gave them a cautious start, adding 34 runs before King fell to spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
West Indies lost two quick wickets, leaving them at 54 for 3 in the 13th over. However, a brief 46-run stand between Keacy Carty and Sherfane Rutherford steadied the innings before Carty was dismissed for a dogged 37 off 58 balls. Rutherford and Chase then staged a recovery.
Rutherford raced to his half-century in 64 balls, hitting two boundaries and three sixes. The pair posted West Indies' 150 on the board, with their 50-run partnership coming in 51 balls, before the rain intervened. At the time of the stoppage, Rutherford was unbeaten on 74 from 82 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes, while Chase was on 33 off 38 balls, with four boundaries.
The second ODI will be played on October 23 at the same venue.