Brandon King smashed 63 in an opening stand of 107 with Evin Lewis.
AP/Viraj Kothalawala
Brandon King and Evin Lewis powered the West Indies to a commanding five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-match T20 International series in Dambulla on Sunday. The duo's explosive partnership at the top of the order laid the foundation for the West Indies to chase down Sri Lanka’s total of 179 with five balls to spare.
Chasing 180 for victory, King and Lewis put on a blistering 107-run opening stand off just 55 balls, propelling the West Indies to 74 runs in the powerplay and setting the tone for the remainder of the chase. King, who was named Player of the Match and Match MVP, top-scored with a stylish 63, while Lewis smashed a quickfire 50. Their partnership effectively nullified the efforts of Sri Lanka's middle-order batters Kamindu Mendis (51) and Charith Asalanka (59), who had earlier helped the hosts to a competitive total.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers briefly slowed the West Indies' momentum in the middle overs, with Matheesha Pathirana taking 2 for 27. However, the West Indies remained in control throughout, and despite the loss of a few wickets, they had enough firepower in their batting lineup to seal the win. Sherfane Rutherford finished the game in style, hitting a boundary off the first ball of the final over to bring the West Indies home at 180 for 5.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted 179 for 7, thanks to the 82-run partnership between Asalanka and Mendis. The West Indies bowlers did well to keep Sri Lanka in check, with Romario Shepherd picking up 2 for 39 and Shamar Joseph being the most economical, conceding just 27 runs from his four overs.
West Indies will take confidence from this victory as they head into the second match of the series, with Brandon King and Evin Lewis’ dominant opening partnership proving to be the key in their comfortable win.
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Stokes looking 'great' as England captain prepares for Pakistan return
Ben Stokes is expected to come back into England's side for the second Test against Pakistan, with the all-rounder returning to his peak fitness.
England captain Stokes has been out since the start of August with a hamstring injury but was seen in the nets bowling at full pace ahead of the next Test, which starts on Tuesday in Multan.
Former team-mate and bowling coach James Anderson says Stokes is firing on all cylinders as he prepares to return.
"He looks great. He has worked really hard on his fitness and looking as strong as I've ever seen him," Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, said to BBC Sport on Sunday.
"He's had a good bowl in the nets and looks good to go."
Anderson acknowledged that managing Stokes' workload could work favourably for England, who will expect spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashar, as well as part-time option Joe Root, to do most of the bowling.
"When we're talking about Ben's workloads and his bowling, it might play into our hands with that, with the spinners potentially playing more of a part," Anderson added.
England did not miss Stokes in the first Test, battling to victory by an innings and 47 runs despite conceding 556 to Pakistan in the first innings last week.
Joe Root's stunning 262, coupled with Harry Brook's remarkable 317, led the fightback before left-armer Leach took 4-30 from just 6.5 overs in Pakistan's final-innings collapse.
Questions remain whether the same pitch will be employed in Multan, where cracks were already showing, instead of a new surface.
"Going off the last game, we did see it go up and down, mainly down, towards the back end," Anderson continued.
"The cracks started opening up. I'm no groundsman, but I don't think you can make cracks go back together that easily, certainly in three days.
"You'd expect it to do something off the cracks and with it being dry and hot again, you'd expect the spinners to play more of a part.
"We don't know what we’re going to get. It could be another pitch, or they have repaired this one really well and it's flat again."
Lewis and King star in West Indies' T20I opener against Sri Lanka
Brandon King and Evin Lewis starred at the top of the order to help the West Indies to a five-wicket victory in the first match of their T20I series with Sri Lanka.
Despite strong showings from Kamindu Mendis (51) and Charith Asalanka (59), the West Indies' opening duo did the damage as King's 63 and Lewis' half-century paved the way for victory with five balls to spare.
Sri Lanka started poorly with the bat, losing Pathum Nissanka (11), Kusal Perera (six) and Kusal Mendis (19) inside the first eight overs of the encounter.
Mendis and Asalanka helped steady the ship, with their knocks helping the hosts to 179-7 from their 20 overs, aided by the brisk cameo from Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who struck 17 runs from 11 deliveries.
The tourists wasted no time in chasing their target, with King and Lewis doing the early damage with their incredible 107-run partnership before the duo fell to Mendis (1-14) and Matheesha Pathirana (2-27).
Despite losing three wickets in quick succession, the pressure never mounted on the Windies, with handy contributions from Rovman Powell (13) and Roston Chase (19) helping them on their way ahead of the second match on Tuesday.
Data Debrief: Lewis makes special return
After a 723-day hiatus from the West Indies side, Lewis made his much-anticipated return to international cricket with a sensational half-century.
His knock included five fours and four sixes, ending the contest with a strike rate of 176.8, a total only bettered by his partner, King (190.9).
Bolden’s maiden century puts Wildey on course for victory in BCA Elite Three-Day Competition
Nimar Bolden’s maiden century has put Wildey in a commanding position against ESA Field Pickwick as they edge closer to an innings victory in Series 5 of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Elite division three-day Championship. On the second day of the match at Wildey, the 21-year-old left-hander scored a brilliant 119 to help Wildey post 300 for six declared, building a massive first-innings lead of 239 runs.
Bolden, who started the day on 36 with Wildey at 112 for one, faced 148 balls and struck eight fours and four sixes. His knock was supported by Demetrius Richards, who made 57, and Carlos Maynard, who contributed 39, helping Wildey pile on the runs before declaring after 56 overs.
Pickwick struggled in their second innings, closing on 112 for seven, still trailing by 127 runs. Opener Craig Holder top-scored with 50 off 98 balls, putting on 58 for the fourth wicket with Shamar Forde (29). However, Jerome Jones with three for nine and Jofra Archer, who took three for 21 to add to his first-innings haul of five for seven, kept Wildey in firm control.
At Bank Hall, defending champions Empire were battling Fusionz Boutique Spartan, who took a 35-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 260. West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the standout for Empire, finishing with figures of four for 38. Empire were in trouble at 112 for six but fought back to reach 225 all out, with Shaquille Cumberbatch top-scoring with 59 and Camarie Boyce adding 37. Off-spinner Chaim Holder took four for 70, and pacer Sadrian Ward claimed three for 42. Spartan will resume their second innings on one without loss.
At Beckles Road, Wanderers took a first-innings lead over Bayview Hospital YMPC after responding to YMPC’s 280 for seven declared with 283 for six declared. West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite led the charge for Wanderers, finishing unbeaten on 78, while opener Shayne Moseley made 76. YMPC were 12 without loss at the close of play in their second innings.
At Friendship, UWI fought back after IGS Insurance Brokers Yorkshire secured a first-innings lead of 51. Yorkshire were dismissed for 305, with Athelbert Brathwaite scoring 86 and Indal Persaud adding 79. UWI reached 147 for two at stumps, with Amari Goodridge on 77 not out and Shaqkere Parris unbeaten on 57.
At Lester Vaughan, Superb Bend Gladiola took a 36-run first-innings lead over SigniaGlobe Financial Barbados Youth, posting 253. All-rounder Giovonte Depeiza top-scored with 51. The Barbados Youth team closed on 27 for two in their second innings.
As the competition continues, Wildey, Spartan, Wanderers, and Gladiola all look set to push for strong finishes in this round of the BCA Elite division three-day Championship.
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