Despite a run a ball 96 spiced with 10 boundaries and 3 sixes and a 98-ball 71 by Dinesh Chandimal , and Wanindu Hasaranga’s late charge 47 off 31 fine edged by 4 mighty sixes and 2 boundaries, Sri Lanka could not withstand the West Indies batting mechanism powered by a 196- run opening stand between Evin Lewis’ 101 off 121 (8×4, 4×6) and Sai Hope’s 84 off 108 (6×4) in a five wicket loss of the second ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua yesterday. West Indies made 274 for 5 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 273 for 8 winning with 2 balls to spare to take the series 2-0 with one more to go.
Gunathilaka figured largely in lifting Sri lanka from the doldrums of 3 for 50 sharing in a fourth wicket alliance of 100 off 20.4 overs and it took a late charge by No.8 Wanindu Hasaranga who put his side very much in the game with some lusty hitting in a 7th wicket stand of 64 runs off 40 deliveries with Thisara Perera who made 19 .
The West Indies were well in the game following the great start by the openers with Pooran putting the finishing touches in typical cavalier style.
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka 273 for 8 (Gunathilaka 96, Dinesh Chandimal 71, Wanindu Hasaranga 47, Thisara Perera 19, Ashen Bandara 18, , Jason Mohammed 3/47, Alzari Joseph 2/42)
West Indies 274 for 5 (Evin Lewis 10 1, Hope 84, Nicholas Pooran n.o. 35, Kieron Pollard 15, Fabian Allen 15, Darren Bravo 10, Thisara Perera 2/45, Nuwan Pradeep 2/66, Lakshan Sandakan 1/36)
