West Indies on October 26 registered a consolation win in the final ODI of the three-ODI series. Opener Evin Lewis who returned to the ODI side after three years smashed an unbeaten 61-ball 102 to lead West Indies to an eight-wicket win in a rain-curtailed encounter at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium., West Indies won their first ODI on Sri Lankan soil since 2005 after 10 consecutive losses.
Slow start before rain
Earlier, Shai Hope won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pathum Nissanka's catch was dropped early in the innings. In the third over, Avishka Fernando's catch was dropped as well. The opening partnership was broken in the 18th over. Roston Chase dismissed Fernando caught and bowled for 50-ball 34. The rain interrupted play and the game was reduced to 23 overs per side.
Mendis goes berserk
Kusal Mendis walked in to bat and hit four consecutive fours in the same over. He completed 4,000 runs in ODIs as well. In the 20th over, Nissanka reached his fifty from 58 balls. Mendis' catch was dropped and he followed it up with a six. In the penultimate over, Nissanka was run out by Alzarri Joseph. He scored 56 runs from 62 balls including eight fours and a six. In the last over, Mendis reached his fifty from just 19 balls. His catch was dropped on the next over, Charith Asalanka departed after hitting a six. Mendis' unbeaten 22-ball 56 helped Sri Lanka post 156/3.
Scratchy start for West Indies
West Indies got a revised target of 195. West Indies got off to a slow start considering it was almost a T20 match. In the sixth over, Asitha Fernando dismissed Brandon King for a 19-ball 16. Lewis got an early reprieve as his catch was dropped by Wanindu Hasaranga at mid-off in the eighth over. In the 12th over, Lewis reached his fifty from 34 balls. In the 15th over, Dilshan Madshanka got the wicket of Hope. He scored 22 runs from 27 balls.
Lewis, Rutherford finish it off
Sloppy fielding continued as Sherfane Rutherford's catch was dropped when he was batting on 10 in the 18th over. Meanwhile, Lewis struggled with cramps but did not leave hte field. In the 19th over, Rutherford took on Maheesh Theekshana and hit him for two sixes and a four. The fours and sixes continued. In the 22th over, Rutherford reached his thid consecutive fifty from 26 balls. On the last ball of the penultimate over, Lewis finished the run chase with a six. Lewis hit nine fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 102. This is the third-fastest ODI century by a West Indies batter. He was named ‘Player of the match’ but did not collect it because of cramps.
