Early inroads against the West Indies were provided by spin magician Wanindu Hasaranga in the first ODI at the Pallekele International Stadium. The tourists chose to bat first after winning the toss. But because to an injury, the hosts were missing their renowned opener Pathum Nissanka, and Nishan Madushka was playing in his first ODI.
Before Hasaranga was added to the attack by Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka, Windies openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze got off to a cautious start and scored 41 runs.
As the opener tried a slog sweep against a well-flighted googly in his opening over, he took the vital wicket of King. When the ball was pitched around the middle and off stumps, it turned abruptly and passed through the space between the bat and the pad, casting the stumps. With a fervent pump, the spinner leaped after taking the wicket. After King left for 14 off 25 balls, the scoreboard showed 34/1.
Wanindu Hasaranga eliminated both of the Windies’ openers.
He hit again, outfoxing Alick Athanaze in his very next over. The fly and dip tricked the left-handed batter, who had scored 10 off 20 deliveries, as he surged down the track. Because Hasaranga’s googly veered over the outside edge, wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis was able to finish an easy stumping. The scoreboard for the visitor showed 41/2 after this double blow.
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In the meantime, the Caribbean team is currently batting at 133/4 after 32 overs. Right now, Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase are on the crease, hoping to present the opposition with a difficult aim.
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