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Sri Lanka Clinch ODI Series Against West Indies with a Game to Spare
Sri Lanka secured a convincing 2-0 series victory against the West Indies in the second ODI at Pallekele, clinching the three-match series with one game left. Skipper Charith Asalanka led the charge with an unbeaten 62*, guiding Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win in a rain-shortened match, with 44 balls to spare.
Match Overview
- Sri Lanka: 190/5 in 36.4 overs
- West Indies: 189 all out in 36 overs
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (DLS Method)
The match, initially set for 50 overs per side, was reduced to 44 overs due to rain. West Indies, sent in to bat, struggled early, losing wickets rapidly to be 58 for 8, before a resilient stand between Shefarne Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50*) revived their innings.
West Indies Innings
- Shefarne Rutherford: 80 (98 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
- Gudakesh Motie: 50* (67 balls, 4 fours)
- Ninth-wicket partnership: 119 runs
- Best Sri Lankan bowler: Dushmantha Chameera – 3/25 in 7 overs
- Notable bowling performances: Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka dismantled the Windies’ top order. West Indies were bowled out for 189 in 36 overs.
Despite the ninth-wicket partnership, the total was below par, as Sri Lankan bowlers dominated the early stages, exploiting the seam-friendly conditions in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka’s Chase
Sri Lanka’s chase wasn’t smooth, as they lost opener Avishka Fernando early for 12, followed by Kusal Mendis (14) as Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd kept the pressure on.
- Nishan Madushka: 38 (53 balls, 3 fours)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama: 38 (47 balls, 4 fours)
- Third-wicket partnership: 62 runs
- Charith Asalanka: 62* (48 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
- Janith Liyanage: 24 (28 balls)
After a 62-run stand between Madushka and Samarawickrama, Asalanka steadied the innings and built another key partnership with Janith Liyanage (24) to ensure Sri Lanka crossed the target comfortably.
Asalanka’s form continues to impress as he followed up his 77 in the first ODI with a match-winning knock in the second.
Key Statistics:
- Charith Asalanka’s Series Performance: 139 runs in 2 ODIs, averaging 139.00 with a strike rate of 92.66.
- Sri Lanka Bowling Attack: Chameera has taken 5 wickets in 2 matches, averaging 12.80 with an economy rate of 4.71.
- Shefarne Rutherford’s Impact: The top scorer for the West Indies with 121 runs in 2 innings, averaging 60.50.
- Ninth-Wicket Partnership Record: The 119-run stand between Rutherford and Motie is one of the highest ninth-wicket partnerships for the West Indies in ODIs.
Conclusion
With this win, Sri Lanka sealed the ODI series 2-0, leaving the third and final game as a formality. The team’s dominance, particularly with both ball and bat in the middle overs, highlights their improving performance heading into future challenges. The West Indies, meanwhile, will look to salvage some pride in the final game after back-to-back losses.
Cricket
Sri Lanka and India Dominate U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 with Back-to-Back Wins
Sri Lanka and India continued their dominant run in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025, securing their second consecutive victories. Sri Lanka outplayed West Indies, while India cruised past Malaysia, solidifying their positions at the top of the points table.
Sri Lanka’s Record-Breaking Batting Display Crushes West Indies
Sri Lanka continued their dominance, setting a new tournament high score with 166/5 before dismantling the West Indies for just 85 runs to secure an emphatic 81-run victory.
Opener Sanjana Kavindi (38 off 36 balls) and Sumudu Nisansala (19 off 22) laid a strong foundation with a 54-run opening stand in under seven overs. Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara (37 off 31) and Dahami Sanethma (31 off 25) continued the aggressive batting, pushing Sri Lanka to an imposing total.
West Indies struggled against Sri Lanka’s sharp bowling and disciplined fielding, losing wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm spinner Selena Ross (2/25) was the only positive for West Indies, but their batting collapse handed Sri Lanka an easy win.
With this victory, Sri Lanka remains unbeaten and continues to challenge India for the top spot in the tournament standings.
India’s Bowling Masterclass Crushes Malaysia
Defending champions India once again showcased their bowling prowess, making full use of overcast conditions after winning the toss.
Young seamer Joshitha VJ set the tone by trapping Malaysia’s opener Nuni for a duck. A run-out and a fiery spell from Aayushi Shukla reduced Malaysia to 13/4 within five overs.
The highlight of the innings came from Vaishnavi Sharma, whose brilliant left-arm spin secured the tournament’s first hat-trick. She ended with stunning figures of 5/5, as Malaysia was dismissed for just 31 runs.
India’s openers, G. Trisha and Kamalini G., chased down the target in three overs without losing a wicket, ensuring India retained the top spot on the table.
Cricket
Sri Lanka U19 Women Secure Dominant Victory Over West Indies in ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
In a commanding performance at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, the Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s cricket team triumphed over the West Indies U19 Women in their Group A encounter of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted an imposing total of 166 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
The opening partnership laid a solid foundation, with Sanjana Kavindi scoring 38 off 36 balls and Sumudu Nisansala contributing 19 off 22 deliveries. Captain Manudi Nanayakkara further bolstered the innings with a brisk 37 from 31 balls, while Dahami Sanethma added a valuable 31 off 25 balls. The West Indies bowlers faced a challenging task, with left-arm spinner Selena Ross emerging as the standout performer, claiming 2 wickets for 25 runs in her four overs.
In response, the West Indies U19 Women struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Regular wickets and tight fielding restricted their scoring opportunities, ultimately leading to a comprehensive victory for Sri Lanka. This win propels Sri Lanka to the top of Group A, enhancing their prospects of advancing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.
The Sri Lankan team’s all-round performance underscores their growing prowess in the international arena, particularly in the U19 category. As the tournament progresses, they will aim to maintain this momentum in their upcoming matches. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to more thrilling performances from these young athletes as they continue their campaign in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Cricket
Sri Lanka vs Australia Test Series 2025: A Thrilling Battle Awaits
Cricket fans are in for a treat as Sri Lanka hosts Australia for a highly anticipated Test series in January and February 2025. With two Test matches and two ODIs lined up, this tour carries immense significance for both teams as they vie for crucial ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points.
Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting tournament:
Series Schedule
• 1st Test: January 29 – February 2, 2025, Galle International Stadium
• 2nd Test: February 6 – 10, 2025, Galle International Stadium
• 1st ODI: February 12, 2025, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• 2nd ODI: February 14, 2025, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Key Highlights and Team Updates
Australia’s Preparations
Australia enters the series with a strong squad bolstered by the return of captain Steve Smith, who has recovered from an elbow injury. Smith’s presence is expected to provide much-needed stability and experience to the team.
However, the absence of left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann due to a thumb injury is a setback. This opens the door for young talent Cooper Connolly, a promising 21-year-old who may make his Test debut.
Selectors have also hinted at a key role for Travis Head, who could open the innings. His recent success in India as a fast-scoring opener makes him an exciting prospect for the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Formidable Home Advantage
Sri Lanka has been a dominant force on home soil, with impressive Test wins against England and New Zealand in recent years. Galle International Stadium, known for its spin-friendly pitches, will likely play a decisive role in shaping the series.
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