Sri Lanka fell from 105-0 to 232 all out batting first; Opener Danushka Gunathilaka (55) controversially ruled out ‘blocking the pitch’ after stepping on the ball
Last updated: 10/03/21 11:00 pm
Shai Hope hit 10th century in ODI cricket for the West Indies
Shai Hope scored the 10th one-day international with the West Indies winning by eight wickets over Sri Lanka in the first ODI of their three-game series in Antigua on Wednesday.
After knocking out Sri Lanka for 232 in 49 years, Hope led the defeat of the Windies when he hit 12 boundaries and six in a good turnout. Although fired 18 runs short of their target, the guests struggled to victory with three goals remaining.
Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka fell from a strong position at 105-0 in 20th place after a century-long opening stand between Danushka Gunathilaka (55 ) and Dimuth Karunaratne (52).
Karunaratne was first sacked, caught and bowled by West Indies captain Kieron Pollard (1-15) with his second delivery, but then the game became poorly concealed when his considered, in Pollard’s next visit, that Gunathilaka had blocked the field.
Pollard shook a short ball that left Gunathilaka. Pathum Nissanka left for a single but Gunathilaka, after advancing down the pitch, put it back and stepped back into his own ditch. As he did so, he stepped on the ball and was eventually handed over for doing so.
Pollard immediately appealed and field umpire Joel Wilson gave out a soft signal, with TV winner Nigel Duguid then ruling that Gunathilaka had deliberately tried to run them out. .
The Sri Lankan giants have since lost their way; Angelo Mathews (5), and Nissanka (8) soon followed, and although fifty years since Ashen Bandara (50) lifted the total number of tourists he had no support.
Dinesh Chandimal (12) and Lakshan Sandakan – left at 16no – were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as Sri Lanka were all out for 232, a number well below par.
Hope posted a 143 opening partnership run by Evin Lewis (65). Then, when Lewis were the first of two wickets to fall to Dushmantha Chameera (2-50), Hope had another strong stand with Darren Bravo (37no), who was there to see the team above the line.