Clinical West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to whitewash series

wi vs srilanka final series

CRICKET-T20I-SRI-WIS

It was a dominant performance by the West Indies team as they cruised to an easy 7 wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 2nd and final T20I match played at Palleke International Stadium, Kandy on Friday.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and decided to field first. It was an ideal start for the visitors as Oshane Thomas got rid of Avishka Fernando in the 3rd over. Thomas bowled with a quick pace and did not allow Sri Lankan openers to settle. Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Perera tried to put pressure on West Indies bowlers. At the end of six overs, Sri Lanka were 44 for 1.

Sri-Lanka-vs-West-Indies

After the power play overs, Fabien Allen was bought into the attack and dismissed Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Perera in the same over. Jayasuriya and Perera added 32 runs for the 2nd wicket. The experienced Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis provided some resistance adding 33 runs for the 4th wicket. Dwayne Bravo struck to get the wicket of Mendis. Fabien Allen ran out Mathews to leave Sri Lanka in big trouble at 95 for 5.

Hasaranga could not contribute much as he was dismissed for 8. Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera provided the late impetus that Sri Lanka needed with some big blows. Both Sri Lankan batsmen scored 16 runs off last over to help the hosts post 155 for 6 in 20 overs. Mathews and Perera added unbeaten 46 runs for the 7th wicket.

Chasing 156 runs to win, Brandon King showed his class with attacking stroke play and put the pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers. Mathews got the breakthrough getting the wicket of Lendl Simmons for 9. Kusal Perera went off the field as was copped on the fingers and Niroshan Dickwella replaced him. Sri Lanka were dealt a huge blow as Hasranaga went off the field due to hamstring injury. King looked in fine touch taking on Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga. At the end of six overs, West Indies raced to 61 for 1.

After the power play overs, Lahiru Kumara gets rid of dangerous King for well made 43. King and Hetymer added 46 runs for the 2nd wicket. Rovman Powell came to the crease and made the batting look easy. Powell was dismissed by Shanaka with a good catch by Jayasuriya. Powell and Hetymer added 34 runs for the 3rd wicket.

The hard-hitting Andre Russell smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground while Hetymer played the supporting role. Russell remained not out on 40 off just 14 balls with 6 sixes at a strike rate of 285.71. Russell and Hetymer added unbeaten 55 runs for the 4th wicket. Russell hit Mathews for a big six to help West Indies win the match by 7 wickets with 18 balls to spare.

For his 40 off 14 balls, Andre Russell was awarded the man of the match.

West Indies 158 for 3 in 17 overs (Brandon King 43, Russell 40*, Mathews 1/26) beat Sri Lanka 155 for 6 in 20 overs ( Shanaka 31*, Mathews 23, Fabien Allen 2/24) by 7 wickets.