Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Dushmantha Chameera give Sri Lanka a winning start in the Caribbean. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Pathum Nissanka and new skipper Kusal Mendis laid the platform with a daunting target and Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with the ball to restrict West Indies batting, as Sri Lanka romped to a 41-run win in the opening one-day international against West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston Jamaica.
Sri Lanka’s new look line-up with fresh with new direction under coach Gary Kirstan looks exciting and reinvigorated as they took control of the game when South African captain Shai Hope won the toss and invited the visitors to take first lease.
Pathum Nissanka and promoted all-rounder Kamindu Mendis got off to an inauspicious start when Mendis departed on 22 off 6.5 overs.
Nissanka then joined skipper Kusal Mendis and they took control smashing 136 for the second wicket as they set the tempo for a winning total.
Mendis, 72 off 62 balls with 4 sixers and 4 fours and Nissanka 79 off 103 balls plundered the Windies attack with little trouble, their 136 run stand coming off only 126 balls.
Their dismissal had a flow on effect as former skipper Charith Asalanka, 45 off 44 balls, and Janith Liyanage, unbeaten on 44 off 29 balls sent the total racing to an unbeatable target.
West Indies began their chase in dramatic fashion as openers John Campbell and Justin Greaves, (45 off 38) balls raced to 50 in the 6th over.
But their departure saw Sri Lanka’s bowlers recover and peg them back, grabbing wickets at regular intervals.
With the total on 7 for 216 in the 41st over, West Indies fate was sealed as Chameera, 4 for 67 supported well by Maheesh Theekshana 2 for 26, Asitha Fernando, Wannindu Hasarsnga and Charith Asalanka tied them down and bowled them out in 49.2 overs.
The changes at Sri Lanka cricket appears to have brought winds of change for the better as the new administration and coaching structure makes important direction to correct the course they were on previously.
It certainly is premature to jump to excited perceptions with a single win as the tour moves on to a three-match series followed by the T2 contest. But the signs certainly point to a more relaxed and committed team under Kusal Mendis who leads by example.
Kusal Mendis was named Player-of-the-match for his sterling innings.
