Sri Lanka Bat After Bringing in Wellalage and Thushara
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat in the second T20I against the West Indies in Dambulla. The home team leads the three-match series 1-0, having won the first game by five wickets. Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan captain, is hoping to see more assistance for spin than there was in the first game. He expected the par score to be around 170.
Rovman Powell, the West Indies skipper, said his team is happy to chase once more, even though the surface looks completely different from the one used in the first T20I on Sunday in Dambulla. Sri Lanka made two changes, bringing in spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage for his debut, replacing seam-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe. Additionally, slinger Nuwan Thushara came in for fast bowler Asitha Fernando. The West Indies have made one change, with Andre Fletcher taking over wicketkeeping duties from the injured Shai Hope.
The rain has stayed away and is expected to remain that way through the evening. Sri Lanka‘s lineup includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara. The West Indies lineup features Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Andre Fletcher (wk), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell (capt), Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph.
King and Lewis Power Windies to Series Lead Against Sri Lanka in T20s
In the second T20I at Dambulla, Brandon King and Evin Lewis hit blistering half-centuries to power the West Indies to a series lead against Sri Lanka. King smashed 68 off 42 balls, while Lewis made 51 off 35 balls. Together, they put on a 105-run stand for the second wicket, proving to be the match-winning partnership. The West Indies chased down 160 with seven balls to spare, taking a commanding lead in the series.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 159 for 6, with Charith Asalanka top-scoring with 50 off 36 balls. For the West Indies, Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie picked up two wickets each, playing crucial roles in restricting the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The performance of King and Lewis showcased their ability to turn the game around with aggressive batting, highlighting the depth and talent in the West Indies squad.
King and Lewis Propel West Indies to T20 Triumph Over Sri Lanka
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka (AFP) — A breathtaking display of power-hitting from Brandon King and Evin Lewis propelled the West Indies to a commanding five-wicket victory in the first T20 against Sri Lanka on Sunday. The West Indies smashed the target of 180 with five balls in hand, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rovman Powell, the West Indies skipper, emphasized the importance of taking an early lead. “It’s always important when you come to Sri Lanka to take an early lead, we know that Sri Lanka is a team that plays excellent cricket at home,” he said. He added that it was key to “throw the first punch” and then “once you get on top, you try to stay on top for as long as possible.”
The run chase began with fireworks, as the duo of King and Lewis amassed 74 runs within a six-over powerplay, putting Sri Lanka on the defensive. King was the first to reach his half-century, elegantly carving a cover drive for four off Matheesha Pathirana. His 50 came off just 25 balls, while Lewis followed shortly, needing only 27 deliveries for his half-century.
King and Lewis added 107 runs in just nine overs for the opening wicket, which proved to be the highest partnership for the West Indies against Sri Lanka in T20 cricket for any wicket. The partnership was eventually broken when Pathirana deceived Lewis with a slower ball, the batsman edging it to Chamindu Wickramasinghe at backward point.
King went on to top-score with a blazing 63 off 33 balls, including 11 fours and a six. With the openers setting up the chase, the middle order merely had to rotate the strike, picking singles and taking calculated risks to seal the win. Sri Lanka attempted to claw back by picking up a few wickets, but the damage inflicted by the opening pair left the hosts in a near-impossible position.
All-rounder Roston Chase and captain Powell steadied the innings, contributing 32 runs for the fourth wicket. Powell fell for 13 in the 17th over, mistiming a straight six attempt off Maheesh Theekshana to Wanindu Hasaranga at long-on. Chase departed for 19, caught behind off Pathirana, but the job was nearly complete. Despite torrential rain threatening to wash out play, the ground staff’s swift efforts allowed the game to proceed after a 30-minute delay.
FAQs
Q1: Who were the key players for the West Indies in their victory over Sri Lanka?
A: Brandon King and Evin Lewis were the key players, both hitting blistering half-centuries to power the West Indies to victory.
Q2: What was the final score of the match?
A: The West Indies chased down a target of 180 with five balls to spare, winning by five wickets.
Q3: How did Brandon King and Evin Lewis perform in the match?
Brandon King smashed 68 off 42 balls, while Evin
A: Lewis made 51 off 35 balls. Together, they put on a 105-run stand for the second wicket.
Q4: What did Rovman Powell say about the importance of taking an early lead?
A: Rovman Powell emphasized that it is always important to take an early lead when playing against Sri Lanka, as they are a strong team at home.
Q5: How did the run chase begin for the West Indies?
A: The run chase began with fireworks, as King and Lewis amassed 74 runs within a six-over powerplay, putting Sri Lanka on the defensive.
Q6: What was the highest partnership for the West Indies in the match?
A: King and Lewis added 107 runs in just nine overs for the opening wicket, which was the highest partnership for the West Indies against Sri Lanka in T20 cricket for any wicket.
Q7: How did the partnership between King and Lewis end?
A: The partnership was eventually broken when Pathirana deceived Lewis with a slower ball, the batsman edging it to Chamindu Wickramasinghe at backward point.
Q8: What was the contribution of the middle order in sealing the win for the West Indies?
A: The middle order merely had to rotate the strike, picking singles and taking calculated risks to seal the win, as the openers had set up the chase effectively.
Q9: How did Sri Lanka attempt to claw back into the match?
A: Sri Lanka attempted to claw back by picking up a few wickets, but the damage inflicted by the opening pair left the hosts in a near-impossible position.
Q10: What role did the ground staff play in ensuring the match continued despite the rain?
A: Despite torrential rain threatening to wash out play, the ground staff’s swift efforts allowed the game to proceed after a 30-minute delay.
