In the first ODI of the home series at Sabina Park, Jamaica, West Indies lost to Sri Lanka by 41 runs. Skipper Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka's 70s helped Sri Lanka post 303/7 which turned out to be too much for the hosts. Skipper Shai Hope scored a fifty but West Indies lost too many wickets and were bowled out for 262. They lost the series opener by 41 runs.
Kusal, Nissanka get visitors off to good start
Hope won the toss and opted to bowl first. Nissanka was given a reprieve first ball as Keacy Carty dropped his catch off Jayden Seales' bowling. Seales struck with the new ball, dismiss Kamindu Mendis for a 21-ball 12. Nissanka and Kusal were cautious against the new ball. Once settled, Kusal looked to attack, clearing the boundaries against left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. In the 20th over, he hit Motie for a six, four and a six. In the next over, he reached his 36th ODI half-century from 42 deliveries. In the 24th over, Nissanka reached his 19th ODI half-century from 71 balls. The partnership was broken by Matthew Forde in the 28th over. Kusal departed after scoring 72 runs from 62 deliveries. Kusal and Nissanka shared a 136-run partnership for the second wicket.
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Liyanage, Asalanka take Sri Lanka past 300
A few overs later, off-spinner Roston Chase ended Nissanka's stay at the crease. He scored 79 runs from 103 deliveries, including nine fours and a six. Pavan Rathnayake got off to a start but became Chase's second victim as his attempted slogsweep went wrong. Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage pushed the scoring rate in slog overs. In the penultimate over, Asalanka missed his fifty as he was caught at long-on off Forde's bowling. He scored 45 runs from 44 balls, including three fours and a six. In the final over, Wanindu Hasaranga was dismissed cheaply on comeback. Then Milan Rathnayake was run out in an attempt to get Liyanage back on strike. Liyanage hit a six off the penultimate delivery. His unbeaten 29-ball 44 took Sri Lanka to 303/7.
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West Indies’ good start ruined by fielding brilliance
In the run chase, John Campbell made a statement by hitting the second ball of Chameera for a six. Campbell also had a reprieve as he got an outside edge off the last ball of the over but no one appealed. Asitha Fernando in his third over was hit for two fours and a six. West Indies got to 50 runs in six overs. Then, Liyanage changed the game with a direct hit to run out Campbell. A few overs later, Maheesh Theekshana knocked over Justin Greaves who scored 45 runs from 38 deliveries. For nine overs, not a single boundary was scored but hosts got past 100 in 18 overs. Hope ended the boundary drought with a six off Fernando. But, the pacer responded by getting Carty's wicket in the next over. Kamindu took a one-handed stunner as Keacy departed for a 27-ball 37. Before the halfway stage, Hasaranga got into the act and dismissed Sherfane Rutherford lbw.
Chameera kills the run chase
Chase took his time to settle. Meanwhile, Hope got to his 31st ODI half-century from 61 balls. Chameera returned and got Hope caught by Milan at backward point. The skipper departed for a 66-ball 56. West Indies lost half the side for 167 in 31st over. Chase and Motie kept the run chase afloat but the required run rate was climbing up. Theekshana took advantage of the pressure. Motie got caught at long-on trying to hit a maximum. He scored 22 runs from 30 balls. In the last 10 overs, West Indies needed 90 runs to win with four wickets in hand. Chameera ruled out any chance of West Indies' comeback with a double strike. Chase got bowled for a 46-ball 33 whereas Alzarri Joseph was knocked over for a two-ball duck. Shamar Joseph entertained with a few hits. In his last over, Chameera ended Forde's stay at the crease. On the second ball of the final over, Asalanka wrapped up the proceedings with Seales' wicket. West Indies were bowled out for 262.
West Indies’ direct ODI World Cup 2027 qualification in jeopardy
Currently, West Indies are placed 10th in the ICC ODI Rankings. West Indies are in danger of missing out the ODI World Cup for the second consecutive time. Currently, they have 73 rating points, 11 less than Bangladesh and 16 less than eighth-placed England. They may lose rating points if they lose this series as well. If they are not among top eight teams by cut-off on March 31, 2027, they will have to play ODI World Cup Qualifiers.