Sri Lanka Triumph Over West Indies in Rain-Affected 1st ODI
Sri Lanka dominated West Indies with five wickets victory in Sunday’s rain-affected first One Day International (ODI) in Pallekele.
Driven by outstanding half-centuries from both skipper Charith Asalanka and newcomer Nishan Madushka, the hosts achieved victory with 5.3 overs remaining after chasing down a revised target of 232 in 37 overs.
Match Scorecard
Sri Lanka 234 for 5 (Asalanka 77, Madushka 69, Motie 3-47) beat West Indies 185 for 4 (Rutherford 74*, Carty 37, Chase 33*, Hasaranga 2-18) by 5 wickets (DLS method).
Match Analysis
The hosts stormed to victory with 5.3 overs remaining after readjusting their aim to 232 in 37 overs. Asalanka’s entrance at the crease changed the tide for Sri Lanka following a wobbly start that saw them fall to 45 for three in the seventh over. His and Madushka’s partnership of 137 runs for the fourth wicket happened quickly.
In just 44 balls, Madushka and Asalanka both reached their half-centuries. The most run scorer in ODIs in 2024, Madushka, who has been in ten Test matches, was sent in to replace the injured Pathum Nissanka, who opened the innings.
“I am glad that he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” added Asalanka. “It is good to have healthy competition in the side.”
Before the weather intervened, the West Indies had reached 183 for four in 38.3 overs.
It was then difficult for their spinners to hold onto the damp ball. The conditions truly put us to the test, according to West Indies captain Shai Hope.
“Particularly for the spinners, the wet ball was quite challenging.”
The Asalanka-Madushka stand was eventually broken by Gudakesh Motie after Brandon King made a diving catch at slip. But the harm was already done. When Madushka went for 69 off 54 balls, which contained seven fours and a six, Sri Lanka needed just 50 runs off 74 balls.
Following a spectacular 77 from 71 balls, replete with eight fours and three sixes, Motie also trapped Asalanka leg before wicket. With the ball needing to be replaced twice due to difficult conditions, Motie could have had a bigger effect despite finishing with three wickets.
Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis brought Sri Lanka home with ease. The West Indies had earlier struggled against the spinners in Sri Lanka, but they rallied with an uninterrupted 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket with to Sherfane Rutherford’s career-best 74 not out and Roston Chase’s assistance.
It was insufficient, though, to prevent Sri Lanka from taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Last week, Sri Lanka overcame a 2-1 deficit to win the Twenty20 series, their first ever series victory over the West Indies in the shortest format. The next two ODIs are scheduled for this coming Wednesday and Saturday.
