Photo Credit: Cricket West Indies
Evin Lewis (103) fourth one-day international century was the bedrock behind West
Indies prevailing in a challenging run chase of 274, to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead in the three-match ODI rubber against Sri Lanka with a game to spare. The victory is third ODI series win out of five under Kieron Pollard’s leadership following wins away to Afghanistan in 2019 and home to Ireland in 2020.
Lewis and Shai Hope put on their second consecutive century partnership of the series, to lay another solid platform. Although Sri Lanka managed a fightback, West Indies had enough in the end to secure victory with two balls remaining.
CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match, Lewis said:
“I feel very proud. I totally back myself and my ability. I looked for a good start in the powerplay and pushed on from there. Playing the 50-overs last month helped me. My confidence was there, so I tried to execute. This is probably one of the best wickets in Antigua. From the next game I will look to carry the game deep.”
Hope and Lewis alliance equaled the fourth best all time opening stand for the West Indies by Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds versus Bangladesh at Southampton, England 17 years ago. It was also the highest ODI partnership at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium beating the previous best of 175 between Joe Root and Jos Buttler in 2014.
Hope followed up his century in the first game with a fluent 84, which was fifth consecutive 50-plus score in this format. Nicholas Pooran ended on 35 not out, after Darren Bravo (10), Kieron Pollard (15) and Fabian Allen (15) all perished in pursuit of quick runs in the final overs after Lewis and Hope were dismissed.
Medium pacers Thisara Perara (2-45) and Nuwan Pradeep (2-66) for Sri Lanka, who earlier made a competitive total of 273-8, built around three solid knock by opener Danushka Gunathilaka (96) – his second half-century of the series, Dinesh Chandimal (71) and Wanindu Hassaranga (47). Hassaranga’s knock during a 64-run eight wicket partnership with Perera aided the visitors in scoring 51 runs in their final five overs.
Jason Mohammed’s part time off-spin was once again in wickets with a career-best figures of 3-47 and while Alzarri Joseph who clinched two early wickets ended with 2-42.
