Sri Lanka won a match when it meant nothing for them in the World Cup. Had they won the previous game and then won this it would have been an opportunity for them to reach the semis. West Indies, as usual, performed below par to their calibre.
After winning the toss, West Indies decided to bowl first. The Lankan batters looked positive from the start, and the openers batted for 15 overs without losing a wicket. The pair added 93 runs for the first wicket before Karunaratne edged to the keeper. In the space of 9 runs, Sri Lanka lost their second opener, Kusal Perera got run out for a well made 64 runs. Avishka Fernando, the third time in a row played a significant knock for his team, this time he scored his maiden ODI hundred. He made assure that Sri Lanka crossed the 300 runs mark for the first time in this World Cup. The lower order also provided full support to Fernando to reach a match-winning total of 338 in 50 overs.
Chasing 339, West Indies had a poor start as they lost two wickets for 22 runs. Gayle was not at his best, scored 35 runs but took 48 balls for it, very unusual innings for him. Nicholas Pooran, who scored his maiden ODI hundred, has got little help from the middle order until Allen smashed a quick fire 51 off just 32 balls. With 30 runs needed to win in 18 balls, Sri Lankan captain asked Angelo Matthews to bowl, who has not bowled a single ball in international cricket in past 7 months, produced the wicket off the very first ball. That ended the hope for West Indies. Malinga was again the pick of the bowlers for Lanka who took three wickets in the match.
STATS
- Pooran and Fernando scored their maiden ODI Hundred.
- Malinga, who took three wickets in the match, has now 54 wickets in World Cup and far behind only McGrath (71), Murali (68) and Akram (55).
