WI complete sweep over Sri Lanka

The West Indies carried off all 30 points on offer in the World Cup qualifier Super League with a 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka yesterday.

Playing the third and final match of the three-game One Day International (ODI) series in Antigua, the West Indies comfortably chased 275 for victory to win by five wickets and nine balls.

The run chase was once again steadied by opening batsman Shai Hope, who shared in his third partnership which yielded over 100 runs for the team. Hope has had two with opening partner Evin Lewis and the final one, which was yesterday, with the century scorer and player-of-the-match Darren Bravo.

In the process Hope scored his sixth consecutive half century and became the third West Indian to do so joining Chris Gayle and Gordon Greenidge.

However, he advanced down the pitch only to hit Thisara Perera into the hands of the fielder at log on to be dismissed for 64 runs. Hope’s innings included three boundaries and two sixes.

Bravo scored his fourth ODI century sweeping for a boundary to move to 101 runs off 130 deliveries, which included five fours and four sixes. However he was out soon afterwards for 102 runs with the team still needing 26 runs for 23 deliveries.

Bravo said that Hope gave them the inspiration to do well and he came out and did so.

The captain Kieron Pollard was the third West Indian to score a half century in the match as he brought up his 11th ODI half century with a six. Pollard finished unbeaten on 53 runs off 42 balls, which included four boundaries and one six.

The winning runs was a massive six over midwicket that hit the sweet spot of Jason Holder’s bat and sailed high and far in the 49th over. Holder finished on 14 runs from 10 overs.

The West Indies made a slow start to their run chase after losing Evin Lewis and Jason Mohammed early in their innings but when Hope and Bravo came together it brought back some stability to the innings as they guided the team to safety

Earlier once again Wanindu Hasaranga had to lead the visitors a respectable total as he blazed 80 runs off 60 balls to help Sri Lanka finished on 274/6.

Hasaranga 80 runs was the highest by a No. 8 batsmen for Sri Lanka in the 50-over format.

Hasaranga shared in an unbeaten 123-runs off 111 balls seventh wicket record partnership with Ashen Bandara who finished on 55.

Hasaranga took West Indies fast bowler Jason Holder for 20 runs off the final over.

Sri Lanka had been creeping along before as the West Indies bowlers were right up until the final sprint.

That sprint came in the final five overs as Sri Lanka scored 63 runs.

Taking three wickets for the West Indies was spinner Akeal Hosein who finished with 3/33 off his 10 overs.

Hope was voted the Man of the Series and said he was pleased to contribute to the team’s win.

“My job is to score runs and whenever I get the opportunity to do so I will,” said Hope, who added that he looks to get the team to the best possible position.

Hope said while the players said they take inspiration from him he also takes inspiration from them.

“The guys have been working very hard on and off the field and it is good to get the rewards as it has been a while.”