West Indies staged a brilliant recovery at Sabina Park to pull off an improbable five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a match which they seemed to have little hope of winning for the bulk of their chase. With a target of 170 to chase down, the home side managed to finish things off with two balls and five wickets remaining, completing match as well as T20I series victory in sensational style.
Sri Lanka looked in the driving seat for most of the contest. More on this topic In reply, their bowlers pressed the West Indies batting order hard with spin trio Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage toiling away at an assistance-laden surface. The visitors got off to a flyer as Wellalage had captain Shai Hope dismissed with just the second ball of the innings and they maintained a disciplined bowling performance throughout.
Sri Lanka slowly asserted themselves over the game, despite Shimron Hetmyer – who strode in guns blazing and took on Theekshana for a couple of overs at the top. Hasaranga was especially impressive, taking 2 for 17 and doing his part to stem the flow of runs during the middle overs.
But that lifeline for the West Indies came through Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell. Together, the duo added 81 runs for a demand partnership which kept the chase together when scoreboard pressure applied heavily on them. Surviving two dropped catches in a innings Rutherford was unbeaten on 54 from 40 balls. Powell did his bit with a valuable 33 to ensure that the hosts remained within reach.
Those were the best one-day figures there and, even with them on board, West Indies had a mountain to climb in those last 47 overs. Enter seasoned all-rounder Jason Holder. Back in the XI Holder produced a spectacular death hitting display hitting 21 runs from just five balls. Such was the return that the match swung like a pendulum and bagged the venue of one of its most famous run chases ever.
Sri Lanka, who were led by Dunith Wellalage’s 43, managed only 169. Despite a fine 5 for 33 from Alzarri Joseph, the visitors were unable to build a bigger total.
West Indies will revel in a comeback that struck at the heart of Sri Lanka with both bat and ball, but Sri Lankan fans will wonder how they missed so many chances to win this one.
