West Indies in Sri Lanka, 3 ODI Series, 2024 |1st ODI |10/20/2024 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Commentary
That is all from this game. Two more games to go in the series and an important one for West Indies to level the score. Join us on the 23rd of this month at 9 am GMT for the coverage and earlier for the build up. Till then, cheers!
Charith Asalanka is the Player of the Match. He says it was a convincing win. Admits the plan was to attack and be positive with the bat. Tells it got easier to bat once the ball got wet and that helped them chase it down. Feels it is a positive headache to have when all the players perform but it is good for the team.
Shai Hope says they can't control the weather and the conditions but hopes to be better next time. Tells the batters showed intent in the later part but the same thing should happen from the top order as well. Mentions it was difficult to bowl in this conditions but they need to find ways.
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The game was nicely poised when Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase were batting. It felt like they will take the score above 280 but the rain killed their hoped and had to rely on the revised score as per DLS which didn't help them.
West Indies began brilliantly with the ball. Yes, they leaked runs but got wickets too. Once the ball got old though, the zip disappeared and then it was difficult for them to manage the run flow and take wickets. Motie though was brilliant but he lacked support from the rest. Maybe if the others bowled decently, the result could have been different but for now, it is the hosts who have managed to get a win.
Quite a comfortable chase in the end and Lanka ha be taken a 1-0 lead in the series. It didn’t seem it would be this comfortable when they were three down for not a lot but Madhushka and Asalanka batted brilliantly. They added close to 150. Both scored fifties but fell in quick succession. The game though was in Sri Lanka’s favour by then. The batters to come, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis ensured there wasn’t a surprise as they helped their side cruise to a win.
31.5
6
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, SIX! The new star of Sri Lanka hits the winning runs. Shorter and on off, Mendis pulls it over square leg for a biggie. Sri Lanka win by 5 wickets by DLS method.
31.4
0
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, A good length ball on off. Mendis solidly blocks.
31.3
0
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, Full and on middle, Mendis turns it to mid-wicket.
31.2
2
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, This is full and on middle, Mendis turns it to deep square leg for a couple of runs. One hit away now.
31.1
4
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! Sri Lanka edging closer! Short in length and on off, Mendis pulls it over mid on for a boundary.
END OF OVER 31 | 3 Runs & 0 Wkt | SL 222/5
30.6
1
Gudakesh Motie to Kamindu Mendis, Flatter and outside off, Mendis knocks it to deep point for a single.
30.5
0
Gudakesh Motie to Kamindu Mendis, Slants it full and on the pads. Mendis nudges it to mid on.
30.4
1
Gudakesh Motie to Janith Liyanage, One run as Liyanage plays it to mid on.
30.3
0
Gudakesh Motie to Janith Liyanage, Tossed up on off, Liyanage pushes it to cover.
30.2
1
Gudakesh Motie to Kamindu Mendis, Well outside off, Mendis punches it to point for a single.
30.1
0
Gudakesh Motie to Kamindu Mendis, Fuller ball on off, Mendis blocks it out.
END OF OVER 30 | 8 Runs & 0 Wkt | SL 219/5
29.6
0
Jayden Seales to Janith Liyanage, A bumper, outside off, Liyanage is happy to leave it alone.
29.5
0
Jayden Seales to Janith Liyanage, Fuller delivery on off, Liyanage pushes it back to Seales.
29.4
1
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, Too full and outside off, Mendis pushes it to mid off for one more.
29.3
2
Jayden Seales to Kamindu Mendis, Length ball, outside off, Mendis crunches it through covers for a brace.
29.2
1lb
Jayden Seales to Janith Liyanage, Leg bye! Serves it full and on the pads, Liyanage misses his flick and it rolls to the leg side for one.