NORTH SOUND – They would not be West Indies if they did not give us all a few heart-stopping moments before they successfully completed their highest run chase in a One-day International against Sri Lanka.
But they held nerve and built on a fourth ODI hundred from Evin Lewis and his second successive century opening stand with Shai Hope to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against the Sri Lankans.
Lewis reached his landmark from 116 balls, when he clipped pacer Nuwan Pradeep through square leg for two in the 37th over.
He cracked eight fours and four sixes in 103 from 121 balls and Hope made 84 from 108 balls to set up a successful and record Windies run chase of 274 for a five-wicket win over the visitors at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
The result meant that West Indies ended their nine-year wait for a series victory over an international side ranked higher.
Earlier, part-time off-spinner Mohammed ended with three for 47 from 10 overs and pacer Joseph snared two for 42 from 10 overs to be the pick of the Windies bowling.
But the Caribbean side met defiance from Danushka Gunathilaka, whose run-a-ball 96 was the top score, and Dinesh Chandimal with 71 from 98 balls that anchored the Sri Lankans to 273 for eight from their allocation of 50 overs.
Joseph triggered an early wobble for the visitors before Gunathilaka and Chandimal shared exactly 100 for the fourth wicket.
After Mohammed bowled Gunathilaka in the 30th over, Sri Lanka stumbled to 204 for six before Wanindu Hasaranga hit 47 from 31 balls and shared 64 for the seventh wicket with Thisara Perera to beef up their side’s total.
The third ODI is on Sunday at the same venue, starting at 9:30 in the morning.
Summarised scores:
SRI LANKA 273 for eight off 50 overs (Danushka Gunathilaka 96, Dinesh Chandimal 71, Wanindu Hasaranga 47, Thisara Perera 19, Ashen Bandara 18, Pathum Nissanka 10; Jason Mohammed 3-47, Alzarri Joseph 2-42).
WEST INDIES 274 for five off 49.4 overs (Evin Lewis 103, Shai Hope 84, Nicholas Pooran 35, Kieron Pollard 15, Fabian Allen 15, Darren Bravo 10; Thisara Perera 2-45, Nuwan Pradeep 2-66).
(AR)
