By Vimukthi Adithya
In an interview, while Sri Lanka chasing a mammoth 197 runs to win with five wickets down, Sri Lankan coach Mickey Arthur said that he was optimistic that his team could muster a win but he worried that those 15 to 20 runs the bowlers exceedingly gave away would be crucial for a home side victory.
That was it; Sri Lanka reeling at 17 for 3 in 2 overs then to 56 for 5 in 6 overs bowed down gracefully to end on 171 falling short by just 25 runs in a record chase to go down fighting against a spirited West Indies, who wanted to pull a win to celebrate their skipper’s 500th match.
Kusal Janith Perera, married only a day ago in Colombo travelled up to Kandy to join his team and scored a responsible and matured knock of 66 to bring his team to the verge of victory coupled with promising Wanindu Hasaranga, who once again showed why he is one of best young players around.
Thomas became the 2nd bowler to pick up 5 wickets in the power play after Lasith Malinga.
Sri Lanka’s highest ever successful T20 chase is 194 which they made against Bangladesh and today they had to chase down 197 to better it. Chasing a overburden score the Lankans wanted a good opening stand but the Windies opening bowler Oshane Thomas had other ideas. The 2nd over of the match saw 3 wickets going down to the short balls of Thomas.
Avishka was the first to go top edging a quick and short delivery by Thomas and Shehan Jayasuriya who was asked to bat at the number 3 went back to the hut for a first-ball duck after throwing the kitchen sink at a short and wide delivery and 2 balls later Kusal Mendis pulled a short delivery only to find the keeper; the Lankans were wobbling at 17 for 3 after 2 overs and soon the scoreboard read 56 for 5 at the end of the power play with Mathews and Shanaka failing to score big and gifting their wickets to Thomas; who had figures of 5 for 28 after 3 overs which made him the 2nd bowler after Malinga to pick up 5 wickets in the Power-play.
Newlywed Kusal Perera was the lone worrier for the Lions and with the young gutsy genuine all rounder, Wanindu the duo added 87 off 57 balls for the 6th wicket and this gave a glimpse of hope for the Home team but wickets at the end saw the lions falling short by 25 runs.
Lankan players have performed exceptionally well when they play a match just a day after their weddings, Akila Dananjaya took 6/54 a day after his wedding but in a losing cause and today Kusal Perera made 66 off 38 once again in a losing cause though.
With Simmon’s patience, Russell’s cameo and Pollards big hitting the Windies made an imposing 196
Scores;
Windies – 196 for 4 (Simmons 67, Russell 35, Pollard 34, Wanindu 1/33, Sandakan 1/38
Sri Lanka – 171 for 10 in 19.1 overs (Kusal Perea 66, Wanindu 44, Thomas 5/28, Powell 2/31)
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