It was a dominating performance by Sri Lanka as they defeated West Indies by a massive 161 runs in the 2nd One day international played at Hambantota on Wednesday.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and decided to field first. The decision paid off as Sheldon Cottrell dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera in the 3rd over put Sri Lanka under pressure at 9 for 2. The things could have been worse for Sri Lanka as Kusal Mendis was dropped by Kieron Pollard at slips with his score on 2. Avishka Fernando and Mendis took advantage of loose bowling. At the end of 10 overs, Sri Lanka were 49 for 2.
After the power play overs, Mendis and Fernando made the batting look easy by hitting boundaries and rotating the strike. It was a good batting display by both Mendis and Fernando who showed their class. Fernando reached his fifty off 56 balls with 4 fours to his name and soon after Kusal Mendis reached his half-century off 55 balls with 6 fours.
Both batsmen showed his skills by hitting boundaries which made the West Indies captain Kieron Pollard think. Mendis reached his century off 107 balls while Fernando completed his 100 off 109 balls. Both well-set batsmen took 19 runs from Kieron Pollard over. Alazzari Joseph finally got the breakthrough for West Indies dismissing Mendis for 119. Mendis and Fernando added 239 runs for the 3rd wicket. West Indies fielding was very ordinary as they dropped catches and was not up to the mark with ground fielding.
Thisara Perera was promoted at number 5 and played with positive intent. Fernando looked in explosive touch after reaching his century. Joseph struck again to get rid of Fernando for a superb 127. Sheldon Cottrell was superb taking wickets of Dhanjaya de Silva and dangerous Thisara Perera. Isuru Udana and Hasaranga added quickfire 29 runs. Hasaranga was run out off the final ball. Sri Lanka posted an imposing total of 345 for 8 in 50 overs.
Chasing 346 runs to win, West Indies openers Shai Hope impressed with his stroke play and made the batting look easy. Sunil Ambris created pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers. At the end of 10 overs, West Indies were 54 for 0.
After the power play overs, a superb throw by Mathews and run out by Udana broke the partnership between Hope and Ambris. West Indies openers added 64 runs in 12.2 overs. Hope impressed with his stroke play to reach his fifty off 62 balls. Mathews struck to get rid of dangerous Hope for 51 to break the backbone of West Indies batting line up. Roston Chase and Nicolas Pooran could not increase scoring run rate to add 37 runs for the 4th wicket. Hasaranga did the damage by getting wickets of Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder. Lakshan Sandakan also impressed with his leg spinners by getting Pooran to end West Indies’ hopes. Keemo Paul and Fabian Allen hit some lusty blows before Nuwan Pradeep outsmarted Paul with a slower one with the score at 184 for 8. After the floodlight break, Pradeep dismissed Joseph. Sandakan dismissed Fabian Allen to bowl out West Indies for 184 to give hosts a massive 161 runs win.
Avishka Fernando for his superb 127 runs was awarded the man of the match. With this, Sri Lanka seal the series with a 2-0 lead. The third and final ODI will be played at Kandy on 1st March.
Sri Lanka 345 for 8 in 50 overs ( Avishka Fernando 127, Kusal Mendis 119, Alazzari Joseph 3/57, Sheldon Cottrell 4/67) beat West Indies 184 in 39.1 overs ( Shai Hope 51, Nicolas Pooran 31, Hasaranga 3/30, Sandkan 3/57) by 161 runs.
