Hope Century leads the West Indies series
March 11, 2021 by Cricbuzz Staff
Hope made 110 when the West Indies won by eight wickets.
A Century of Shai Hope helped the West Indies to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and take a 1-0 lead in the three-game series. Sri Lanka went 105 without losing on a stage, after opting to hit, but some tight bowls from Jason Holder and Jason Mohammed knocked them down for just 232. Hope hit 110 to take the side of the line with three overs to spare.
Sri Lanka will likely remember the phase between the 20th and 25th overs where they lost four wickets and slipped to 126 for 4. Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka had given the team a solid start with a century-long starting position when Kieron Pollard struck. The West Indies captain landed a spectacular catch and shot opportunity to eliminate Karunaratne and create an opening for his team.
The game had its fair share of drama when Gunathilaka was awarded obstructing the field. On the first ball of the 22nd game, the left-hander had blocked a Pollard ball and took off for a single. There was a mix-up with Pathum Nissanka as the pair decided not to use the single. As he returned to his area, Gunathilaka rowed back and kicked the ball off Pollard, who charged to affect a run at the end of the non-forward. Pollard immediately appealed and the decision was sent upstairs with umpires on the field who ruled that Gunathilaka’s actions were intentional.
The third referee confirmed the decision to return the starter by 55, as Gunathilaka became the eighth player to be fired in this way in ODI cricket. However, there was much debate as to whether Gunathilaka’s actions were deliberate given that the starter was not aware of where the ball was when trying to return.
Gunathilaka was fired obstructing the field.
Nissanka and Angelo Mathews both sold out, while Dinesh Chandimal made just 12 to leave Sri Lanka in trouble. There was half a century of Ashen Bandara pushing Sri Lanka past 200, but the wobble at the top meant the team was able to post a below par total.
In a short chase, Evin Lewis and Hope responded with a 143-run opening booth to close the door to visitors. Lewis made an unusual 65 of 90 balls to accompany Hope, as the pair stayed on the fold for 28.2 overs. Dushmantha Chameera pocketed both wickets to fall, from Lewis and Hope, before Darren Bravo and Mohammed ended the chase. Hope entered his century at 41 when he hit Lakshan Sandakan with a six to reach 99 and then took a single to get his 10th century in the format.
Quick Scores: Sri Lanka 232 in 49 overs (Danushka Gunathilaka 55; Jason Mohammed 2-12) lost to West Indies 236/2 in 47 overs (Shai Hope 110, Evin Lewis 65; Dushmantha Chameera 2-50) for eight wickets.
Ⓒ Cricbuzz
.
