Sri Lanka edge West Indies by one run in one-day thriller despite superb Evin Lewis hundred
Windies batsman strikes his maiden one-day ton but a series of run-outs help Sri Lanka to secure a one-run victory at Queens Sports Club
West Indian batsman Evin Lewis struck his maiden one-day international hundred but a series of run-outs helped Sri Lanka to secure a one-run victory at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday and advance to the triangular series final.
Playing just his fourth ODI, Lewis struck a superb 148 from just 122 balls as the West Indies went in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 330 for seven, but lost two partners to direct hits and was then run out in a mix-up with his captain Jason Holder.
“We played a really good game up until the last over, and then didn’t get over the line,” said Holder.
“Going forward we need to be a lot more precise in our calling to avoid those sorts of run-outs.”
The victory ensured Sri Lanka’s passage to Sunday’s final, while the West Indians must avoid defeat in their final game against hosts Zimbabwe on Friday if they are to progress.
Sri Lanka’s total was set up by Niroshan Dickwella and man-of-the-match Kusal Mendis, who both scored 94 after the West Indies had won the toss and opted to bowl first.
The duo put on 105 for the second wicket before de Silva was caught and bowled by Kraigg Brathwaite for 58, and Mendis went on to add 107 for the third wicket with Dickwella.
Holder was responsible for breaking the second stand when he trapped Dickwella lbw, while Mendis also fell short of three figures when he edged a delivery from Ashley Nurse through to the wicketkeeper.
With Lewis taking little time to get stuck into the Sri Lankan seamers, the West Indies made a similarly brisk start.
Lewis and Johnson Charles put on 63 for the first wicket in eight overs, and Kraigg Brathwaite added 70 for the second wicket with Lewis to put the West Indies on track for their first chase of more than 300 runs.
A further blow came when Lewis was run out going into the final stretch, and although Holder edged the West Indies closer, they went into the final over needing 10 to win.
Sulieman Benn shocked everyone when he smashed Nuwan Pradeep’s third delivery into the stands at midwicket, but when he holed out off the penultimate delivery, Holder was left with too much to do.