In the opening ODI of the three-match series against the West Indies in Pallekele, Sri Lanka easily defeated them after winning the Twenty20 International series 2-1. The visitors have suffered yet another setback as a result of the senior cricketers’ absence; their top order struggled, putting them under pressure the entire time.
Batting at number three, openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze scored 14 and 10 runs, respectively, while Keacy Carty scored 37. He and Sherfane Rutherford, who performed admirably under duress, had a 46-run partnership. While Roston Chase was not out for 33 runs, the 26-year-old made an undefeated 74 runs and came through when the team needed him most.
The two forced the West Indies back into the match, and just as they appeared to be winning, the rain cut off play and the Caribbeans were unable to finish their innings. They scored 185 runs in 38.3 overs, and in the second innings, Sri Lanka had to chase 232 runs. With Rutherford and Chase both appearing to be in form and Romario Shepherd lurking in the wings, the Shai Hope-led team could have amassed more than 232 runs if they had batted the full 50 overs.
In contrast, Sri Lanka appeared to be very at ease using the bat in the second innings. In place of Pathum Nissanka, who was sidelined by an injury, Nishan Madushka set the tone for the squad with 69 runs off 54 balls. Charith Asalanka was the best batsman at number five, although Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Avishka Fernando didn’t do much.
He made 77 runs and nearly put Sri Lanka in the target, but he was unable to complete the task, which disappointed the cricketer.
Also Read: Watch Wanindu Hasaranga’s fiery celebration after dismissing Brandon King during SL vs WI 1st ODI
However, Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage scored 18 and 30 runs, respectively, to help the team win the match. This gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 series lead.
Here’s how X reacted:
Meanwhile, Sanath Jayasuriya’s Sri Lanka have won again! They have defeated West Indies in the 1st ODI match. What a team 🇱🇰🔥#SLvWI #tapmad #DontStopStreaming pic.twitter.com/9vQuW3CXMY
— Haris Speaks (@SpeaksHaris) October 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Sanath Jayasuriya’s Sri Lanka have won again! They have defeated West Indies in the 1st ODI match. What a team 🇱🇰🔥#SLvWI #tapmad #DontStopStreaming pic.twitter.com/05j9wv6832
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 20, 2024
Sri lanka under Sanath Jayasuriya’s
Coaching is Just exceptional.
Beat India in odi series.
Win a test match in England after 10 years.
Beat t20 series to west indies.— Hamad Chaudhry (@iaChaudhary05) October 20, 2024
FIFTY! 💪 Skipper Charith Asalanka brings up a brilliant half-century, leading from the front against the West Indies! 🇱🇰🔥
-copied- #asithasooryabandara #SLvsWI #SriLanka #Cricket #CricketTwitter #SriLankanCricket https://t.co/yFhfyV7qwx
— 🇱🇰 Asitha Sooryabandara 🇱🇰 (@sooryabandaraas) October 20, 2024
FIFTY! 💪 Skipper Charith Asalanka brings up a brilliant half-century, leading from the front against the West Indies! 🇱🇰🔥 #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/GvkFvFi1RA
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 20, 2024
Sri Lanka beat West Indies in the Ist Odi,this team under Sanath Jayasuriya doing well. pic.twitter.com/blnD1WwKXC
— Cricket Mania (@cricketmania05) October 20, 2024
Its Sri Lanka’s 🇱🇰 9th straight win against West Indies in ODIs at home. #SLvWI
🆆, 🆆, 🆆, 🆆, 🆆, 🆆, 🆆, 🆆, 🆆* pic.twitter.com/F9bWD7A28z— Millionaire 𝕏 (@Millionaire_X_) October 20, 2024
RAIN AFFECTS PLAY! ☁️⚡️
West Indies 185/4 (38.3 overs) before rain halt.
Revised target: Sri Lanka 232 in 37 overs! 🎯
Sri Lanka chased it down in 31.5 overs! 💥 #SLvWI #Cricket #DLS #Sportify pic.twitter.com/Rfvjsw1ked
— Sportify (@Sportify777) October 20, 2024
Sri Lanka takes a 1-0 lead in the ODI series with a convincing 5-wicket win over West Indies! 🌧️ Chasing a revised target of 232, debutant Nishan Madushka (69) and captain Charith Asalanka (77) shone in a 137-run stand. Sri Lanka clinches it with 31 balls to spare! 🇱🇰 #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/ul0o6bMmTY
— Areeb Cricket World digital media (@World_OfCricket) October 20, 2024
CMC – Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka both scored brisk half-centuries to help their side register a five-wicket win over West Indies on Sunday. https://t.co/EDWiIVX7CX#SriLanka #Cricket #WestIndies pic.twitter.com/9A4YzxQ7DE
— CBC BARBADOS (@CBCBARBADOS) October 21, 2024
India
