Sri Lanka secured a five-wicket victory over West Indies in the second ODI fixture on Wednesday (October 23) in Pallekele International Stadium. The win helped them take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Due to a rain delay, the game was reduced to 44-overs-per-side. Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first went in their favor. The pair of Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando secured two breakthroughs each to leave West Indies reeling at 31/4. The likes of Alick Athanaze (1), Keacy Carty (6), Shai Hope (5) and Brandon King (16) failed to get going for the Caribbean side.
Then, Wanindu Hasaranga got rid of Roston Chase (8) and Romario Shepherd (4) as well. Nevertheless, Sherfane Rutherford, who slammed 74* in the last game, continued his blistering form in this fixture as well. He settled well at the crease and displayed six hitting extravaganza. In particular, he was lethal against the spinners.
The southpaw went on to slam 80 off 82 balls, with seven fours and four sixes. The left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie supported him well and stayed for around 20 overs.Motie (50) stitched a 119-run stand for ninth wicket with Rutherford to lift the visitors to 189.
Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with four scalps. Meanwhile, Fernando and Theekshana picked up three wickets apiece.
Captain Charith Asalanka leads from front for Sri Lanka
Chasing 190, Sri Lanka lost Avishka Fernando (9) and Kusal Mendis (3) early, which put them in a spot of bother. However, the pair of Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama were cautious with their approach to steer the team at a fine rate. They found consistent boundaries to unsettle the length of the Caribbean bowlers.
Alzarri Joseph broke the blossoming 62-run stand by dismissing Madushanka (38). Meanwhile, Roston Chase also dismissed Samarawickrama (38) to keep the visitors still in the hunt.
But, Charith Asalanka spoiled the plans of West Indies with his mature knock, as he scored boundaries at will. He found support from Janith Liyanage (24) through his knock.
In the end, Asalanka was unbeaten on 62 off 61, with seven fours and a six, as Sri Lanka chased down the score with more than five overs to spare. Joseph picked two wickets for the Caribbean side.
Both teams will meet in the final ODI on Saturday (October 26) at the same venue. The visitors will look to avoid a series whitewash and return with better performance.
