West Indies 134 for 7 (Simmons 26, Pooran 23, Sandakan 3-29) beat Sri Lanka 131 for 4 (Chandimal 54 *, Bandara 44 *, Allen 1-13) with three wikis
Fabian Allen shone with both bat and ball, dominating the game at the start and end, as the West Indies secured a tough three-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the third decision. T20I in Antigua and grabbed the series 2-1.
After recording figures of 1 for 13 from his four petals – three of which had come in powerplay time that saw Sri Lanka score 27 runs for losing three wickets – Allen added the touchdowns. finish with the baton to seal the game for the West Indies.
His six-ball 21, including three sixes came off Akila Dananjaya in the 19th over, when Sri Lanka got a chance, which was recreated by their spinners.
Running a mediocre 132, the home team seemed to have got off to a good start, recording 53 for 1 in the playoffs. But Sri Lankan spinners were again dominant in the West Indies.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the main threat again and eliminated Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons finishing with 2 figures for 13. Lakshan Sandakan (3 for 29) and Dushmantha Chameera (2 for 23) also played. benefit from the pressure created by Hasaranga but with such a low target, the West Indies bat knew they only needed one bowler they could target, and they found these in Dananjaya.
After being released in the second T20I after courting at the hands of Kieron Pollard in the opening game, Dananjaya struggled with his control this time as he went without a wicket in all four. his vest and gave 53 runs.
Earlier, an unseen stand of 85 – Sri Lanka’s highest T20Is in the T20Is for the fifth wicket – between Dinesh Chandimal and Ashen Bandara had dragged the visitors to a place of honor, if not well. competitive, 131 for 4.
After Allen and Kevin Sinclair ‘s confinement limited Sri Lanka within the play, the West Indies sailors took over. On a surface that was even slower than those in the first two games, the guests were only dealing in a slower delivery, forcing Sri Lankan fighters to grind for running.
It was only due to a few late beats from Bandara that the visitors got as much as they did, but despite the best efforts of the spinners, it was not the -always seem to be enough – especially with the number of West Indies game winners in the ranks.
West Indies outside Sri Lanka gamble
In the last game, Sri Lanka had put out their top bowlers by the 16th over, but paid off in spades because by that point the game was as good as winning, with India all back in the marquee.
This trip around the West Indies was a little more measured in their approach; first they introduced an extra bat in Rovman Powell instead of Fidel Edwards, then, with support due to a medium target running, they passed the time, playing out dot balls when required, safe knowing that several beats big enough was the turn of their favorite game.
So it came to the fore, with at least six West Indian battalions hitting at least six in their engines – a stark contrast to the two six that beat Sri Lanka, each and Bandara.
For Sri Lanka, before the 19th over came to a close, they were left with the ball thrown to Danushka Gunathilaka part-time, but despite admitting that only 11 of his three petals they could not be trusted at death, nor Thisara Perera, who was sad in that last game, or Dananjaya, who may be effective but who was off the game. Eventually, they joined Dananaya – although none of the other options are likely to have been more effective.
Chandimal and Bandara fit the pitch
Although Sri Lanka ‘s main order failed to mature with a slow range, thankfully Dinesh Chandimal and Bandara were around to bring some feeling back to events.
But other than the weird ending, a bat man didn’t look particularly fluent. So it’s very much a matter of running if that’s possible, especially with West Indies bowlers taking distance off the ball at every opportunity. The fact that Chandimal made the most prolific bullet, with 22 runs coming off, speaks volumes.
Their unbroken partnership of 85 from 63 deliveries took on more importance, considering when it started Sri Lanka were tightened at 46 for 4 half-way through tenth place.
Hasaranga’s reputation continues to grow
Sri Lankan spinners usually head for the scene, either with an aura of mystery running out of them, or an unusual act in tow – or in the case of Rangana Herath, they are hidden away under the shadow of a long-time person before his late resuscitation. But a player rarely improves on the job as well as Hasaranga.
Yes, he has picked up wickets in almost every T20I game he’s played, but the level of development his game has seen in the past year can’t be confirmed to a low degree. The main update is the control with which he is now bowling his googly, which has accounted for many of his wickets recently. In this game, it was the googly again that gave him early success, catching Evin Lewis’ dangerous lbw.
Hasaranga also displayed his agility, being called into a bowl inside the powerplay after Dananjaya failed the same effect he had in the previous game. As expected now, deliver immediately. After being able to let down his first member – a full-throw low to Simmons – by Danushka Gunathilaka long ago, he subsequently fired three members at Lewis. In the next step, he got a brainbreak from Simmons, who found himself lost down the wicket as Dickwella completed an easy stump. But Sri Lanka simply did not have enough runs in the bank.