News

Sri Lanka Clinch ODI Series Against West Indies with a Game to Spare

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

Editor

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.

News

Nadeesha Gayanthi Shines Internationally with Double Medal Triumph in England

Published

12 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka’s badminton scene received a major boost as experienced shuttler Nadeesha Gayanthi delivered an impressive performance at a prestigious international championship in England, bringing home both gold and silver medals.

Competing at the 108th edition of the All England Senior Badminton Championship, Gayanthi stood out among a highly competitive field that featured nearly 400 players from 25 countries. The tournament, held in London from April 10 to 12, attracted seasoned athletes from across the globe, making her achievement even more remarkable.

Gayanthi dominated the over-40 women’s singles category, securing the gold medal with a series of strong performances. She further showcased her versatility by advancing to the finals in the mixed doubles event, where she claimed the silver medal, completing a successful campaign on the international stage.

Cricket

Dilshan Madushanka Earns IPL Opportunity with Sunrisers Hyderabad

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

Editor

Sri Lankan pace sensation Dilshan Madushanka has secured a spot in the Indian Premier League, stepping in as a replacement player for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The franchise announced his inclusion after England fast bowler Brydon Carse was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Madushanka, known for his sharp left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball early, joins the squad as a like-for-like replacement. His addition comes at a crucial stage in the tournament, where teams are looking to fine-tune their combinations for a strong finish.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been actively reshaping their bowling unit, and Madushanka’s arrival is expected to add both variety and depth. His international experience, particularly in high-pressure situations, makes him a valuable asset as the team navigates the latter half of the competition.

For Madushanka, this opportunity marks another significant milestone in his growing career. Having already impressed on the global stage with his pace and wicket-taking ability, the IPL now offers him a platform to showcase his skills among some of the best players in the world.

Cricket

Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s bowling action under scrutiny?

Published

3 days ago

April 13, 2026

Editor

Sri Lankan fast bowler Chamindu Wickramasinghe has come under the spotlight after his bowling action was officially reported as suspicious during a recent domestic encounter.

The incident occurred in a match of the National Super League held from April 6 to 9, where the Dambulla side faced Colombo. Wickramasinghe, representing Dambulla, drew attention from match officials, prompting concerns over the legality of his action.

The on-field umpires, Deepal Gunawardena and Ravindra Wimalasiri, made the report in accordance with standard procedures. Match referee Manoj Mendis also oversaw the process, ensuring that all regulations were followed.

Following the report, the matter has been referred to the Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance Unit for further assessment. Wickramasinghe may now be required to undergo biomechanical testing to determine whether his bowling action complies with the laws of the game.